Extending cycle hire to the new City Hall

Siân Berry: With the home of the London Assembly and the Mayor moving to the Royal Docks, and investment in new cycle schemes in the area, will you support an extension of the Transport for London (TfL) cycle hire scheme to cover this area?

The Mayor: Newham Council and the Royal Docks team are working together on a new cycling strategy for the area, including an overhaul of the Royal Docks Corridor, which includes Silvertown Way and the section of North Woolwich Road up to Connaught Bridge.
Transport for London (TfL) is always open to discussing options for the expansion of the Santander Cycle Hire scheme with boroughs and private landowners. There are a number of factors affecting a decision to expand the scheme and build docking stations in new locations. These include the propensity to cycle in the immediate area, its location proximity to other cycle stations and whether it is financially sustainable to do so.
I will ask TfL to carry out some analysis to look into the case for an expansion to the new City Hall in order to inform potential future discussions about funding.

Flood Response Capability (6)

Anne Clarke: The London Safety Plan says, “London Fire Brigade will: Find opportunities to work with insurance companies and the community to assist with the recovery after a flood”. Can you outline what opportunities exist and what actual assistance has been provided since March 2017?

The Mayor: London Fire Brigade was not able to identify opportunities to work with insurance companies. However, community assistance has been delivered through the Borough Resilience Forum (BRF) multi-agency flood plans and deployment of resources to numerous incidents. LFB has also produced updated home safety information which includes flood safety information to help members of the public understand the risks of flooding, what they can do to prevent a flood in the home and how they should respond if their home is flooded. New water safety initiatives have also been developed to improve Londoners’ awareness of risks related to water and what they should do if they see someone in trouble in the water.

Northern Line Closure (2)

Tony Devenish: What consideration was given to closing the Bank Branch of the Northern Line for upgrade work during lockdown, when usage was so low and disruption would have been significantly lower?

The Mayor: Prior to the pandemic, the closure of the Bank branch was scheduled for summer 2021. In March 2020, Transport for London (TfL) enacted a ‘safe stop’ across its project sites – including the Bank Station Capacity Upgrade – to ensure the safety of its construction and project teams, and to further reduce the number of people travelling on the public transport network. Once the project restarted, it operated in accordance with social distancing requirements to ensure workers were able to operate safely and to minimise the risk of the virus spreading. This further impacted the planned programme.
The closure is essential to safely connect the new tunnel for the southbound Northern line into the existing Northern line tunnel at both ends of the station. In order to prepare for this extremely complex work, TfL has also had to complete a number of preparatory works in advance of and leading up to the closure. This has included the construction of new passages, and the removal of redundant equipment and diversion of operational assets.
Given the restraints imposed as a result of the pandemic, the need to continue to run services for key workers during lockdown, and the need to carry out this preparatory work in advance of the closure, it would not have been possible to carry out these works any earlier or during the lockdown.
Despite the impact of the pandemic, the project remains on course tobefullycompleted before the end of 2022.

Northern Line Closure (1)

Tony Devenish: Please provide this Assembly with a detailed explanation of why the Bank Branch of the Northern Line between Kennington and Moorgate must close for 17 weeks, including an exact timetable showing how long each aspect of the work is expected to take and how many hours a day work will be happening.

The Mayor: The Bank Station Capacity Upgrade (BSCU)willincrease the capacity of Bank station by 40 per cent and greatly improve interchange at Bank/Monument station,providing step-free access to theNorthern lineandimproved step-free access to the DLR.
Transport for London (TfL) hasconstructedmost ofthe new station with minimal impact on the existing station and the millions of passengers who use it each year.As part of this work, a new Northern line platform, concourse and tunnel have been built.The new tunnel for the southbound Northern line needs to be safely connected to the existing Northern line at both ends of the station. A partial closure of the Northern line is necessary to undertake this work due to its complexity and the proximity of running trains to the new infrastructure. Due to the layout of the track, trains can only be reversed at Moorgate station,meaning the Northern line must be closed between Moorgate and Kennington. Information about this closure was published at the outset of the project, when the Transport & Work Act Order (TWAO) powers to build the scheme were confirmed in 2015.
This is very complex work, which involvesa number ofdifferent stages, including:
A number of these stages overlap, and these works have been programmed to allow TfL to complete these works as quickly as possible. Work is currently taking place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and this will continue throughout this closure.

46 Bus Route

Tony Devenish: Will you consider reversing the changes to the 46 bus route, which mean that it no longer serves St Mary’s Hospital or Hyde Park from St John’s Wood?

The Mayor: Route 46 was withdrawn between Paddington station, Eastbourne Terrace and Lancaster Gate station (Lancaster Terrace stop) in January 2021. It is around 400-600 metres walking distance between these locations, and this section of the route was lightly used due to the circuitous route required to reach the terminus. Route 46 continues to serve bus stops in a 400-500 metres radius of St. Mary’s Hospital campus. If customers are unable to walk, they can change at Paddington to six alternative routes for the hospital directly (7, 23, 27, 36, 205, 332), three alternative routes (7, 23, 36) on to Marble Arch for Hyde Park, or change to routes 94, 148 or 274 for onward travel specifically to Lancaster Gate.
Transport for London does not plan to reverse the changes.

13 Bus Route

Tony Devenish: Increasing numbers of local residents have been writing to me complaining about the abolition of the original No.13 bus route and its replacement with route 113. In particular, the decision to truncate the 113 to Oxford Circus has been strongly criticised. Will you review these changes and strongly consider reinstating the previous route?

The Mayor: Route 13 was withdrawn between Marble Arch and Aldwych, and then extended at each end to North Finchley and Victoria respectively in 2017. This was in conjunction with the extension of route 139 to Golders Green from West Hampstead and the discontinuation of route 82. Route 139 has maintained links between Marble Arch and Aldwych, with the same stop interchange with route 13 at Baker Street.
This was a part of a wider network change to remove excess capacity in inner and central London due to falling demand caused predominately by rail upgrades along these bus corridors. These include higher frequencies and, in many cases, new trains and quicker journey times on London Overground, Thameslink, Jubilee and Northern lines, as well as providing orbital and radial links to central London for Oxford Circus (with cross platform interchange at Euston from Northern to Victoria line or at Baker Street from Jubilee to Bakerloo line). Routes 13 and 113, which travel into outer London, were increased in frequency at the time, reallocating resource to where it was needed most.
Transport for London (TfL) will further upgrade the Metropolitan line over the next few years as part of the funded Four Lines Modernisation project, and lower demand is expected on many bus corridors in inner North-West London. Therefore, TfL has no plans to reinstate the previous service.

Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit

Unmesh Desai: What is the estimated cost of the Met’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit? Please provide a breakdown according to A) set up costs, B) staffing costs, and C) annual costs.

The Mayor: Rape and Serious Sexual Offences are investigated by specialist officers within the Public Protection strand on each of the 12 BCUs. Whilst we have teams whose primary focus is the investigation of these offences, there is no separate unit and it is therefore not possible to provide the breakdown of costs requested.

London Overground services

Caroline Pidgeon: London Overground currently run a regular four trains per hour service between Dalston Junction and Clapham Junction via Canada Water but two of these services each day are diverted to Battersea Park instead of Clapham Junction and are effectively ‘parliamentary services’ required to keep the passenger route open. London Overground is planning to increase the number of services between Dalston Junction and Clapham Junction to six trains per hour in 2022. In view of increased demand at Battersea Park following the new Northern line opening and the opening of the Turbine Halls retail and leisure destination in Battersea Power Station in 2022, should some of these extra London Overground services terminate at Battersea Park instead of Clapham Junction?

The Mayor: I consider that any additional services operated to and from Clapham Junction on the East London Line should serve that station rather than Battersea Park. This is because Clapham Junction remains the more significant location given its ever-growing role as an interchange and access point to the rail network. In 2019/2020, 55.5 million journeys were made through the station, 41.3m of which were undertaken using services not provided by London Overground. In contrast, Battersea Park station had a total of 2.2 million journeys passing through it in 2019/20.
A total of nearly 2,000 rail services call at Clapham Junction on weekdays under the May 2021 timetable, including trains that also serve Battersea Park station. East London Line services already call at Wandsworth Road station, which has bus connections to the wider Nine Elms area. In addition, the Northern Line Extension provides a major enhancement to the capacity and connectivity of the public transport network serving the Battersea Park area, helping to meet the additional demand that the redevelopment of this location has created.

Tube Closures (2)

Tony Devenish: Please list all the London Underground closures in 2021, broken down by Tube Line and including any planned closures for the rest of the year.

The Mayor: Please find attached the schedule of London Underground track closures for 2021 including those proposed up to the end of the year.
There are a variety of reasons why weekend track closures take place.Recently, these include:
To minimise the impacts on customers, TfL always aims to carry out engineering works when they will cause the least disruption. Where there are closures, TfL will look to provide alternative travel options.
TfL also works closely with Network Rail, who carry out their own engineering works, to ensure a coordinated approach across London.

The Mayor: 3810 Tube Closures (2) ATTACHMENT.xlsx

TfL staff costs

Susan Hall: What is the TfL average cost of staff by grade including Director level?

The Mayor: The below table provides the mean salary and total cost data by grade across Transport for London (TfL) on the 18 September 2021. The total cost value includes the pension and National Insurance Contributions paid for by TfL.
Due to the high number of different grades, these have been consolidated in line with those used as part of TfL’s Gender and Ethnicity Pay Gap reporting. The Pay Band 2 bracket does include some more senior operational roles that incur overtime or unsociable hour payments and also some specialised roles, such as Power Control Room operator, Signalling engineers, and Control Centre staff.
Grade
Average Base Pay
Average Total Cost
Apprentice
£22,516
£33,121
Graduate
£26,988
£39,699
Band 1
£30,704
£45,166
Band 2
£51,488
£75,739
Band 3
£58,368
£85,859
Band 4
£76,006
£111,805
Band 5
£104,600
£153,867
Director
£184,659
£271,634
Operational
£47,035
£69,189

Air quality at Morden

Leonie Cooper: In 2021, how often have there been spikes in air quality at Morden? Which times of day are these most likely to occur? How does this compare to 2019 and 2020?

The Mayor: “Spikes” in pollution may be caused by local circumstances but are often influenced by meteorological conditions and episodes of high pollution that can occur at different times of the year. These types of episodes are closely monitored and inform the use of my air quality alerts system.
Looking at patterns of pollution is complex. However, on average (excluding pollution episodes), the highest concentrations of nitrogen dioxide tend to occur across London between the hours of 6am and 7pm during weekdays, between 9am to 6pm on Saturdays, and 12pm and 6pm on Sundays.
This hourly pattern does not vary significantly between 2019, 2020 and 2021 although 2019 concentrations were the highest and 2021 concentrations are lower (so far).

Solar energy and TFL buildings and land (1)

Leonie Cooper: What progress is being made to engage with third-party solar developers across TfL buildings and land?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has conducted assessments of installing solar on 240 potential sites on TfL buildings, land and trackside areas. One suitable land plot has been included within an early market engagement activity to explore opportunities for zero carbon electricity. Other sites and buildings were not included due to poor financial payback, security and access issues. Therefore, TfL is not currently engaging with third party solar developers for use on its remaining estate.

Cycling Infrastructure Improvements in Kew Bridge

Nicholas Rogers: Please outline what work is being done to improve cycling infrastructure in Kew Bridge and please outline how you are working with local authorities and other partners in the local area to achieve these improvements.

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) completed Cycleway 9 works at Kew Bridge in March 2021, including new protected cycle lanes on the A205 Kew Road, and a fully protected route through the junction onto Brentford High Street.
The changes on Kew Bridge itself included slightly reducing the pavement on the west side to accommodate an additional traffic lane. This traffic lane was introduced to help maintain journey times for buses and general traffic whilst creating enough capacity for cyclists and pedestrians through the Kew Bridge Road junction. The bridge’s eastern pavement provides a shared-use space for people walking and cycling, which then connects into the Cycleway 9 protected cycle tracks at the junction.
I am aware that concerns have been raised about the quality of the cycling facilities across the bridge and I agree that the new layout is not the best provision from a cycling perspective. My Walking and Cycling Commissioner has kickstarted a process to review the new layout and consider options to improve conditions for people cycling across the bridge. In a constrained location such as a bridge, it is challenging to design an optimum solution for all users.
TfL continues to support the London Borough of Hounslow to improve cycle facilities on Cycleway 9 and is working with them and the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames to deliver further improvements.This includes making coach access to Kew Gardens easier and investigating cycle facilities on Kew Road which will link to Cycleway 9 on Kew Bridge. This of course remains subject to funding.

Mask Wearing on the TfL Network

Nicholas Rogers: Please advise the Assembly on your plans regarding mask wearing on the TfL network going forward.

The Mayor: Please see my answer to Mayor’s Question 2021/4138.

Police Support for Asian and South East Asian Communities

Sem Moema: What support is the Met Police providing to Asian and South East Asian communities in my constituency with regard to hate crime?

The Mayor: The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has my full backing for taking a zero-tolerance approach to tackling hate crime in all its forms. The MPS works with local organisations to develop reassurance and preventative policing plans across London. This includes recognition of the need for an increased police presence and outreach in vulnerable locations, such as places of worship and transport hubs, when tensions are high and the potential for hate crime incidents may be increased.
The MPS has forged strong working links with local community groups across Islington, Waltham Forest and Hackney to raise awareness regarding what constitutes hate crimes, how to report it and the support available. This includes working with local community services to develop and distribute communications materials on hate crime to Asian and South East Asian communities in the languages of those communities.

TfL station car park developments (2)

Emma Best: Please can you confirm that you are saying no process will change for TfL station car park development consultations, after your answer to question 2021/3846 proposed no new activity to address the fact you have been ‘surprised’ when your developments kept being rejected by local planning authorities?

The Mayor: If there are lessons to be learned from recent engagement and consultation exercises, Transport for London (TfL) will learn from those experiences. TfL is speaking to thousands of Londoners to understand their views about developments across the city. This will help TfL bring forward schemes that have local support, as well as help to refine schemes where issues have been raised by local people.

TfL station car park developments (1)

Emma Best: Please can you confirm if TfL are looking at any sites in Waltham Forest for station car park developments?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) currently has no specific plans to redevelop any further station car parks in the borough. TfL is however looking across its estate to ensure it is continuing to fulfil its target to bring forward housing to help address London’s urgent housing crisis as well as generate income to reinvest in the transport network. TfL will confirm as and when it is ready to bring forward any new sites.

Clean Air Fund

Leonie Cooper: Is the current energy crisis affecting the progress of Transport for London’s Zero Carbon Power Purchase Agreement?

The Mayor: Current high prices in the energy market make it a challenging time to be procuring long term energy contracts. However, Transport for London remains committed to its goal of running a zero carbon railway by 2030 and, in line with this, is working through procurement options to allow it to go to market to secure contracts for renewable energy providers in the coming months.

Silverdale-Sydenham Park Railway Bridge (1)

Len Duvall: Constituents are keen to see long-term improvements to the Bridge rather than just running repairs. What plans do TfL have for improvements if any?

The Mayor: The London Borough (LB) Lewisham, as the Highway Authority for the Sydenham Park footbridge, is responsible for the maintenance of this structure. As such, the LB Lewisham will be able to advise on the bridge maintenance approach and any long-term improvement plans. Please also see my response to Mayor’s Question 2021/4671.

Silverdale-Sydenham Park Railway Bridge (2)

Len Duvall: What support can TfL offer to Lewisham Council in developing and implementing long-term solutions?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL), under section 159 of the GLA Act 1999, provides financial assistance for the Borough bridge strengthening programme through the Local Implementation Plan (LIP) process. This support to boroughs is determined through a needs-based formula derived from a pan-London prioritisation system. The boroughs, through the London Bridge Engineering Group (LoBEG), have agreed this is a fair approach for the allocation of scarce LIP bridge strengthening funding. However, considering the high number of priority projects and TfL’s current financial constraints, it is unlikely that this project would attract financial assistance in the near term.

Age UK London Out and About Campaign

Caroline Pidgeon: With a recent Age UK study showing 64% of older people are less confident about travelling now than before the Covid-19 pandemic, will you consider ensuring TfL makes changes to its travel mentoring service to ensure more older Londoners can benefit from this service?

The Mayor: As mentioned in my response to Mayor’s Question 2021/4623, Transport for London (TfL) attended two engagement sessions with the charity Age UK in early November to outline the range of support available through TfL and its Assisted Transport Services, including its Travel Mentoring Service.
There are many ways the team can help older Londoners who are anxious about travelling again, and TfL would welcome further discussions with Age UK to understand how the service can help tackle social isolation and encourage older Londoners back to the network. This includes looking at who might benefit from the service and matching them to the most relevant services available on TfL’s network.

Safety Accreditations of TfL Chief Safety Officer

Keith Prince: Further to your responses to Question 2019/21052 and Question 2021/2354, will you undertake to give me a firm date as to when TfL’s Chief Safety Officer will have gained the appropriate Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) and Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) accreditations?

The Mayor: The primary focus of the Chief Safety Officer since March 2020 has been on managing and responding to the safety, health and environmental impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic for Transport for London (TfL). However, the Chief Safety Officer is continuing her ongoing professional development, with learning for these accreditations well underway. It would be presumptuous and disrespectful to the external bodies concerned to attempt to provide ‘a firm date’ as requested, given that TfL has no control or influence over them or their respective examination processes.
It is important to note that, while the Chief Safety Officer continues her professional development, there is no shortage of experience in this area across the organisation.

Face Coverings on TfL (1)

Krupesh Hirani: Since the introduction of mandatory wearing of face coverings as a condition of carriage on Transport for London services, how many people have been refused entry to the TfL network?

The Mayor: Between 19 July 2021 and 11 November 2021, Transport for London (TfL) officers have prevented 408 people from boarding a TfL service or entering a TfL station. 126 people were directed to leave a TfL service or station under its Conditions of Carriage.
Enforcement officers will always explain to passengers the requirement to wear a face covering on our services and in our stations, and customers will only be denied entry or asked to leave a service if they do not comply.

TfL station car park developments (3)

Emma Best: How much money has been spent on consultation for each TfL station car park development proposed under your mayoralty (broken down by development)?

The Mayor: This is dependent upon the arrangement for each development. Where Transport for London (TfL) is working in a partnership, TfL’s partner will pay the costs of consultation and TfL is not able to disclose sums relating to these projects. For the only car park project where TfL took the application through the planning process, at Colindale, TfL spent £30,430.

Updating the business case for the Silvertown Road Tunnel (1)

Siân Berry: The Government has updated their valuation of greenhouse gases, with the cost of each tonne of carbon now set to increase by as much as four times for 2030. In the business case for Silvertown Road Tunnel the Net Present Value (NPV) was increased because it was assumed that reductions in congestion would reduce carbon emissions. Does that mean that future road projects assessed in this way would be assessed as being worth more as the carbon price increases?

The Mayor: If a scheme includes quantified benefits in terms of a reduction in carbon emissions, then if the value of such benefits increases then the value of the scheme’s benefits could be expected to increase accordingly. It is important to remember, however, that this would likely be just one part of a cost, benefit and overall business case analysis. Any scheme will need to be assessed, and its business case developed, in accordance with the relevant policy and guidance at the time of the assessment, as Transport for London (TfL) undertook for the Silvertown Tunnel.
TfL is working hard to improve its approach to calculating whole life carbon impacts to ensure that, along with the increased value for carbon, the impacts take a more significant place in scheme appraisal and drive incentives in the supply chain to reduce carbon footprints.

Updating the business case for the Silvertown Road Tunnel (2)

Siân Berry: The World Health Organization (WHO) has now released updated guidelines that target annual average exposure below 10 µg/m3 for NO2 and below 5 µg/m3for PM2.5. The appraisal summary table for the Silvertown Road Tunnel notes an adverse impact on the Net Present Value (NPV) of the scheme from air pollution. How would incorporation of the new WHO limits impact the NPV for Silvertown Road Tunnel?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) will review the assessment of air quality impacts in relation to the Silvertown Tunnel scheme as part of its further modelling and assessment work prior to the tunnel opening. This work will be published when available as part of the work of the Silvertown Tunnel Implementation Group, with some related information describing TfL’s plans already published on TfL’s website here:
https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/silvertown-tunnel-implementation-group
It is worth noting that, while air quality and noise benefits are expected from the scheme, these constitute a relatively small proportion of the total benefits anticipated in the Silvertown Tunnel business case. Any change to their assessment, including to reflect new World Health Organisation guidelines, is unlikely to have a significant impact on the overall Net present Value for the scheme or its categorisation, particularly given the Value for Money of the scheme is already ‘very high’.
It is also important to consider the Silvertown Tunnel alongside wider action I am taking, along with TfL, London’s boroughs and other stakeholders to improve air quality across the city. For example, on 25 October the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) was expanded up to, but not including, the North and South Circular Roads, and the Silvertown Tunnel will be within this expanded area, bringing benefits to air quality ahead of the tunnel opening. Our trajectory will be regularly reviewed, and further action taken, and I am confident that TfL’s plans for further monitoring, modelling and assessment of air quality as part of the Silvertown Tunnel scheme will support this work.

Emissions at the portals of Silvertown Tunnel

Siân Berry: When the Silvertown Road Tunnel opens it will exhaust all emissions via the portal buildings. For both portals will you indicate the change in traffic, outcome in pollution at the nearest modelled receptor, and how it varies with the present and future guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) on air pollution?

The Mayor: The Environmental Statement and Transport Assessment for the scheme, and related documentation submitted as part of the Development Consent Order application, contain Transport for London’s (TfL’s) assessment of changes in traffic, pollution and the impacts at receptors close to the tunnel portals. These are available on the National Infrastructure Planning website, which is also linked to from the TfL website. I recognise, however, that this work reflects the guidance at the time it was produced.
TfL is required to update this assessment work prior to the tunnel opening. This assessment will not replace the Environmental Statement, and a specific methodology for that assessment has been developed to ensure consistency and aid with comparison against the original Environmental Statement. The methodology was shared with the Silvertown Tunnel Implementation Group (STIG) in May 2021, and the papers are available on the TfL website here:
https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/silvertown-tunnel-implementation-group
In terms of new guidelines since that time and potential future changes, I will ask TfL to consider how the new guidance can be best reflected in the updated modelling and assessment work being undertaken before scheme opening, and in the monitoring work being planned after the scheme opens. As part of its work with the STIG, TfL will continue to publish all of this information on its website.

Increase in rail fares

Marina Ahmad: What impact would the potential almost 5 per cent increase in rail fares have on London’s economy?

The Mayor: I have been clear that I am committed to keeping public transport as accessible and affordable as possible. Transport for London’s (TfL) current funding agreement with the Government includes a condition that TfL raises fares by RPI+1 per cent overall on fares under my control in 2022. This would mean a fares increase of 4.8 per cent.
While the precise impact of any such increase on London’s economy as it recovers from the pandemic is highly uncertain, when making my decision about the overall fares package, I will need to take into account considerations such as the prevailing economic circumstances and the requirement by the Government as outlined above.
See also my response to MQ 2021/3312.

Assistance dog refusal in private hire vehicles

Caroline Pidgeon: Further to your reply to Question 2017/4927, since 2018, has TfL undertaken any further mystery shopping operations to detect private hire drivers who refuse to accept assistance dogs? Please also state the number of prosecutions and the amount of fines awarded for successful prosecutions against private hire drivers refusing to accept assistance dogs, with figures broken down for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

The Mayor: 107 Compliance Testing operations were carried out by Transport for London (TfL) from April 2018 to March 2020. Due to the pandemic, it has not been possible to undertake Compliance Testing since April 2020, but this will recommence shortly.
The attached table shows the breakdown of successful prosecutions against Private Hire Drivers for refusal to accept assistance dogs. Prosecutions have been delayed because courts were closed due to the pandemic so those shown in 2021 are for operations from previous years. Please note that fines imposed following conviction and costs awarded to TfL are means tested and so vary. As such, the average figure provided does not mean that all prosecutions resulted in equal amounts.

The Mayor: 3577 Assistance dog refusal in private hire Data  (1).xlsx

Speeding of buses (2)

Hina Bokhari: How many of TfL’s buses operate with Intelligence Speed Assistance (ISA)?

The Mayor: Around one in five buses in Transport for London’s (TfL) fleet is now fitted with Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA). This is a result of new buses coming into service that have ISA fitted as standard, as well as mid-life buses being retrofitted with this technology. In total, nearly 2,000 vehicles have ISA. TfL aims to increase this proportion as quickly as possible, subject to funding being available and the ability of supply chains to deliver this.

Taxi App Fees

Keith Prince: In July 2019, TfL management promised to provide the taxi trade with a substantive response to the issue of taxi app fees. Why have they failed to provide that response?

The Mayor: As noted in my response to Mayor’s Question 2020/0362, taxi apps are outside of Transport for London’s (TfL) regulatory remit.
TfL is aware of the concerns from the taxi trade about the fees charged by taxi apps and is clear that, for journeys in Greater London, taxi drivers must not charge a fare which exceeds the maximum displayed on the meter.

TfL’s Ignorance about Covid-19 Risks for Bus Drivers from Ferry Driving

Keith Prince: In your response to Question 2021/3880 you have chosen to apparently ignore evidence presented by London bus drivers, their surviving families and national health experts—broadcast on a 28 September BBC File On Four Programme—to make a number of broad claims about how ferry driving Covid-19 risk was mitigated during the pandemic, e.g.—

(a) "The bus operators who used ferry vehicles to transport drivers between garages and changeover points – often for only a short period - followed the prevailing guidance issued by Public Health England (PHE) at different points of the pandemic.

(b) They undertook a range of steps to make ferry cars safer, including introducing much larger vans to ensure better social distancing, reducing the number of people in vehicles and installing screens to separate the drivers from the passengers.

(c) Messaging was also reinforced around anti-viral cleaning, ventilation and wearing of face coverings.

(d) Operators followed national health guidance at every stage."

If, as you have indicated in your response to Question 2021/0544, TfL does not hold copies of bus operators’ risk assessments of ferry driving, on what basis can you make those statements? Please provide me with copies of any written documentation that supports your claims.

The Mayor: I am incredibly saddened to hear of the transport workers who lost their lives during the pandemic and recognise the lasting anguish this will cause to their families. I was clear on the importance of commissioning independent research as early as possible to gain a full understanding of the COVID-19 prevention and control measures required to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of bus workers in London. This research found no association between the speed at which measures were put in place and the deaths.
As private companies, bus operators manage their own sites and make their own arrangements for getting staff to work locations. The companies concerned undertake their own risk assessments, including those for ferrying drivers. It is not appropriate for Transport for London (TfL) to hold risk assessments with regards to private companies’ management of their property and staff, as TfL is not the employer. However, TfL has regular oversight of health and safety on the network, particularly from conference calls involving TfL officers, senior bus operator managers, as well as TfL, bus operators and Unite the Union.
This engagement provides visibility of all key areas and enables the most pressing issues to be escalated quickly. These conference calls helped bring in measures to isolate drivers as much as possible in their cabs, enhance social distancing at depots and rest areas, obtain and utilise the best anti-viral cleaning agents, and ventilate vehicles better. Throughout this time, it was also imperative that everyone, including drivers, followed prevailing national guidance, supported by Unite health and safety representatives, as an extra layer of internal supervision.

Safety Concerns on the A24 London Road in North Cheam

Caroline Pidgeon: Over the past three years there have been three fatalities and sixteen serious injuries on the A24 in London Road, North Cheam. Will you and TfL consider the possibility of introducing a 20mph speed limit and average speed cameras to operate between the junctions with Sparrow Farm Road and Garth Road?

The Mayor: Transport for London’s (TfL’s) Vision Zero Action Plan includes a commitment to speed reductions on over 140km of the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) in town centres and other high-risk locations. The locations for speed limit reductions were identified using a risk-based methodology that considered factors including collision data, the likely scope for collision reduction, and current and future levels of walking and cycling. While this section of the TLRN is not currently included on TfL’s Lowering Speed Limits programme, TfL will review the latest collision data for this location and assess whether further safety measures could be implemented.

Fatal accident at Waterloo Underground station

Caroline Pidgeon: Following the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) report published on the 7 September 2021 into the fatality on the 26 May 2020 at Waterloo Underground station where a passenger fell into the gap between the northbound Bakerloo line platform and the train which he had just alighted, please set in detail TfL’s planned actions in response to the three recommendations made by the RAIB?

The Mayor: The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) report into the tragic fatality of Mr. Warsame on 26 May 2020 made three recommendations for Transport for London (TfL). The Office of Rail & Road (ORR) wrote to TfL on 24 September 2021 asking it to consider the recommendations and respond by 19 November 2021, which TfL has done.
The safety of its customers is TfL’s top priority and TfL recognises that the interface between platform and train presents risks to them. TfL has carried out a lot of work to improve safety for customers on its network in recent years and is now taking action on all of the recommendations in the RAIB report. TfL has started the required review of Platform Train Interface (PTI) risk at all high-risk platforms, is reviewing its safety models, and has improved how lessons are learned from significant incidents.

Explanation for why 1 September 2008 Amended and Restated Operating Agreement between TfL and TOL was never executed

Neil Garratt: When will you respond to Question 2021/3906?

The Mayor: My response to Mayor’s Question 2021/3906 has now been published. I am sorry for the delay.

2021 Boxing Day train services

Caroline Pidgeon: Please set out the Boxing Day services that will operate this year on London Overground and TfL rail.

The Mayor: Written response from the Mayor
The services that will operate on the London Overground network on 26December 2021 are as follows:
No services will operate on the TfL Rail network on 26December 2021 due to planned engineering work.
Passengerscan identify all the public transport travel options available to them on 26 December 2021 by consulting TfL’s website and journey planner.

The Mayor: I am committed to ensuring the traders at Seven Sisters Market are protected and the site moves forward positively for the benefit of traders and the local community.
In November 2020 I directed Transport for London (TfL) to make available £500,000 of financial support for traders who were unable to operate due to the closure of the market. TfL distributed payments in December 2020. Following Grainger’s withdrawal from the redevelopment of the site, I directed TfL to make available a further £500,000 of funding and TfL has recently distributed payments to all eligible traders.
TfL is progressing plans for a short-term temporary market so traders can operate again as soon as possible. TfL is also examining an off-site location that will provide traders with space nearby to continue trading when major refurbishment works are subsequently carried out on the main market building.
TfL is also establishing a Partnership Board to set the future direction of the market. The Board will have an independent chair, recruited through an open process, and Traders will be represented on the Board.

Accessibility of grant funding information (3)

Siân Berry: Residents of Kilburn Square, for which Brent Council has initiated plans for redevelopment, would like to know how much grant funding has been allocated towards the scheme. Out of the 17 programmes that Brent has received funding for, according to the Delegated Approvals Log, could you tell me which of these cover Kilburn Square?

The Mayor: There are two projects at Kilburn Square. Neither have received GLA funding and therefore do not appear on the delegated approval log.

Accessibility of grant funding information (2)

Siân Berry: Many constituents have raised their difficulties in finding information on GLA grant funding for housing. Some information is available on the GLA website on a page called Affordable Housing Statistics in a document called Delegated Approvals Log (https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/housing-and-land/increasing-housing...). Will you: a) agree with me that this title is neither self-explanatory to everyday Londoners nor an easily searchable term and have it changed, and b) include the name of any specific developments covered by each grant award in the document, not just the name of the provider?

The Mayor: I am committed to ensuring Londoners have access to information about my Affordable Homes Programmes, and the grant funding that is enabling record numbers of new affordable homes to be built.
My housing team will consider how additional text on this specific webpage can improve Londoner’s access to information. Any additions must avoid disrupting established search engine indexing for these regular quarterly publications, which detail approved funding allocations (the Delegated Approvals Log) and progress in starting and completing homes (Affordable Housing Starts and Completions).

Crossrail Central Section

Susan Hall: How confident are you that the Central section of Crossrail will fully open by 30th June 2022?

The Mayor: The central section of the Elizabeth line, between Paddington and Abbey Wood, remains on track to open in the first half of 2022. The programme is in its complex final stages, and significant progress has been made throughout this year.
Trial Running of trains through the central tunnels has come to an end and Trial Operations began on 20 November in line with the earliest forecast date. This is the final phase of major railway trials taking place ahead of the Elizabeth line opening.

Pro Bono Work Requirement

Tony Devenish: Will you implement the proposal to require lawyers at firms bidding for GLA contracts to do 35 hours of pro bono work per year - free legal advice with a charitable purpose?

The Mayor: The panel of external lawyers used by the GLA was appointed following an open competition. Many of the firms on the panel undertake pro bono work and/or other socially responsible activities. Transport for London will of course meet any Government policy requirements that are brought forward.

Stop and search complaints

Caroline Russell: Over the 12 months to 31 July 2021 the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) conducted 259,471 searches, and these generated 1,673 stop and search complaint allegations, arising from 988 stop and search cases. What are you doing to ensure that more Londoners know they can make a complaint, and increase their faith that the complaints system is fit for purpose?

The Mayor: The public have the right to complain should they encounter a situation that falls below the high standards expected of all police officers. Members of the public can make a complaint through the Independent Office for Police Conduct’s website or directly to the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in-person, online or via the 101 service. This is highlighted in MOPAC’s Stop and Search Know Your Rights leaflet which is distributed across London and can be found online https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/kyr_inner_april_19_v5_new.pdf. My Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) has also published detailed information about how the complaints process works, which can be found here: MOPAC Complaints.

Knife Crime in Older Age Groups (25+)

Caroline Pidgeon: Much focus is, quite rightly, being given to youth violence and knife crime. However, given concerns over rising levels of knife crime among those over 25, what specific work are you undertaking with the Met, boroughs and others to reduce knife crime within older age groups?

The Mayor: The MPS has set out an ambitious 7-point strategy to reduce violence in London, which includes those over the age of 25. Over the summer, my Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime convened a series of meetings with partners, including councils, to help reduce violence in all age cohorts. The Violence Reduction Unit have assisted local councils to develop their daily pace setter meetings where vital information will be is exchanged to keep the most at risk safe from harm. We continue to work with the MPS to supress violent activity at a local level, to ensure there is an increased police presence on the streets and to support the continued use of intelligence-led stop and search. This is also underpinned by each BCU having a dedicated Integrated Offender Management Team which works with partners, including probation and local authority partners, to manage older adult offenders with a view to reducing the risk of reoffending
Working with probation I also introduced the Safer Streets programme, an intervention for people convicted of knife offences to complete as part of their sentence. This programme challenges participants thinking about why they carry knives and demonstrates the impact on victims and communities, as well as offering more practical help to make positive changes.

Congestion Charge revenue (2)

Tony Devenish: How much extra revenue does TfL expect to raise from retaining the congestion charge at £15 instead of returning it to £11.50?

The Mayor: As I said in my response to Mayor’s Question 2021/3971, proposals to amend the congestion charge scheme have recently been consulted on and the consultation closed on 6 October. Responses are currently being analysed.
The proposals include keeping the charge level at £15 but reducing the charging hours to 7.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Monday to Friday and 12.00 noon to 6.00 p.m. on weekends and bank holidays.
Subject to the outcome of the consultation, TfL forecasts that an additional £55m net revenue will be generated in 2022/23 if the base charge level is £15 compared to £11.50 (and £10.50 inclusive of autopay discount) and the proposed new charging hours are introduced.

Playing politics with TfL Bus Safety Data

Keith Prince: Further to your response to Question 2021/3885 and your continued failure to respond to Questions 2021/3882, 2021/3883 and 2021/3884, in the interest of facilitating independent scrutiny of TfL Bus Safety Performance, will you assure that all Quarterly Bus Safety Data published by TfL will also be made available on TfL’s website in a downloadable generic spreadsheet format?

The Mayor: As I set out in my response to Mayor’s Question 2021/0559, the compilation of quarterly bus safety data has historically been a resource-intensive task for Transport for London (TfL), which has resulted in delays to publication during times of peak demand such as the coronavirus pandemic. This is why an improved offering has been put in place.
Contrary to your assertion, bus safety data has not been removed from public access by TfL. Rather, bus safety data is now being provided through a business intelligence and reporting tool (Power BI) to enable the public and TfL to make better use of data. This provides benefits, such as the ability to provide reports and dashboards that transform data into easy-to-use reports and dashboards at no additional cost.
The public is now able to access all bus safety data through one access point. This can be found on the Bus Safety Data section of the TfL website here: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/bus-safety-data#on-this-page-2. The entire time series from 2014 onwards can be found in one place, rather than having to collate across numerous Excel spreadsheets to undertake the same analysis. The new dashboard also uses accessible colour palettes and contains alternative text for screen readers.

Obstructing the London Assembly’s Statutory Right to Scrutinise TfL’s Decision-Making under your terms as Chair (1)

Keith Prince: Following up on your response to Question 2021/3881, in your response to Question 2021/0121, you admitted that TfL “does not hold copies of these Covid-19 risk assessments for garage premises” a fact confirmed by TfL’s Chief Safety Officer on 10 June and clearly reflected in TfL’s published transcript of that meeting (https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/tfl_discussion_about_10_june_202).

Meanwhile, TfL’s response to FOI-0945-1718 dated 7 November 2017 clearly states:

"Operators have provided 104 risk assessments to us from the start of 2016 as part of the route re-tendering process or following operational changes that result in new or emerging issues being added or updated. Our Framework Agreement sets out the expectation that operators review these following a major event or significant changes. We require them to send us copies of their risk assessments so we know they have them in place"

And TfL’s response to FOI-1349-2122 dated 21 October clearly states:

“Risk assessments are provided to us by the bus operators on the basis of an understanding that they will be held in confidence and therefore it possesses the necessary quality of confidence to justify exemption. This exemption is an absolute exemption, which is not subject to an assessment of whether the public interest favours application of the exemption."

In addition, we are not obliged to supply the requested information as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2) – prejudice to commercial interests.”

Given that we now know that—

a) TfL has long required Bus Operators to supply it copies of their Risk Assessments; and,

b) London Bus Drivers having a death rate from Covid-19 twice the national average long after the March 2020 Lockdown must qualify as a “new and emerging issue” “updated or added” to these Risk Assessments

— how can you explain your responses to Question 2021/3881 and Question 2021/0121 and TfL’s Chief Safety Officers statements to me and the other participants at our 10 June meeting as being anything other than (a) deliberately misleading and/or (b) a direct attempt by TfL to obstruct the statutory rights of the London Assembly to scrutinise the actions of an organisation you have chaired for over five years?

The Mayor: As explained previously, the responsibility to ensure that each bus garage is a safe place to work rests with the individual bus operating companies. In light of these accountabilities, Transport for London (TfL) does not require the bus operating companies to share copies of their risk assessments covering activities within their garage environments. This includes any that were created or updated as a result of Covid-19.
The risk assessments which are referred to within the Freedom of Information requests are the route risk assessments. These are shared with TfL and relate to the hazards and risks identified by the bus operating companies for delivering the contracted bus services on the road network.

Safety Consequences of TfL’s Failure to Monitor Safety Performance of Bus Operators

Keith Prince: In your response to Question 2021/3887, you stated “There have not been any instances in the last five years where TfL has required an operator to put an [Safety] action plan in place”. In the wake of frequent public reports from London bus drivers about unsanitary and fatigue-inducing working conditions during your five-year term as TfL Chair, have you considered that TfL’s apparent complacency in monitoring the health and safety conditions of London bus drivers might explain why they continued to have excess mortality from Covid-19 long after the March 2020 lockdown?

The Mayor: I do not accept that Transport for London (TfL) has been complacent in monitoring health and safety. In my first term, TfL took unprecedented action to improve the working conditions of London’s bus drivers, including a significant £6 million investment in toilets in the most needed locations, as well as independent research into bus driver fatigue and into safeguards to protect staff from Covid-19. TfL, its bus operators and Unite the Union have been proactive in ensuring the welfare of drivers and taking precautions throughout the pandemic.
In terms of sanitation, every toilet is cleaned at least once a day and more frequently in busy locations. A four-hour response time is being met when a driver reports a toilet requiring cleaning. Since 2018, TfL has added new toilets to a total of 61 bus routes, provided significant additional welfare facilities, and has increased its annual cleaning spend by over 50 per cent.
While no performance action plans have been required over the last 5 years, TfL continues to enhance driver welfare: regular performance conversations continued to take place; the most at-risk staff were shielded during Covid-19; testing showed that no sources of the virus was found on vehicles; and operators followed the latest health advice about protecting their staff. Hospital grade cleaning products continue to be used at every mess room and toilet and hand sanitiser is in every mess room too.

Silvertown Tunnel

Caroline Pidgeon: Under the Silvertown Tunnel’s Development OrderCharging Policy and the User Charging Assessment Framework thetoll levels will be set at the discretion of any future Mayor of London. TfL modelling has shown that without tolls traffic would increase up to 30%, but no modelling was undertaken by TfL on air pollutionwiththe scheme if notolls were place.What assurances can you provide local residents that increases in traffic and air pollution will not increase given the lack of certainty of how tolls will operate in the years ahead?

The Mayor: You are correct that Transport for London (TfL) modelling shows that the new tunnel without any user charges is likely to lead to significant increases in traffic, and this is why I have been absolutely clear that the charge is an integral part of the scheme, alongside the new bus network and other elements; this is not a typical ‘road-building’ scheme.
I do not agree that the user charges are set at the discretion of a future Mayor. The Charging Policy, and the User Charging Assessment Framework, set out a clear statutory process by which the initial user charges will be set and how they will be varied in future to ensure delivery of the scheme’s assessed benefits and impacts. Non-compliance with the terms of the Development Consent Order is potentially a criminal offence and as such it is hard to countenance circumstances under which a future Mayor would wish to place themselves in such a position.

Reductions in bus frequency

Caroline Pidgeon: Please list every bus route which has seen a reduction in frequency during 2021, setting out specific changes on each bus route for reductions relating to (a) peak hours, (b) during the daytime on Monday to Friday and (c) changes to evening or weekend services.

The Mayor: As of 9November 2021, Transport for London has made frequency reductions to 41 routes in 2021. During this time, it has also withdrawn route W10, added a new route 456, extended route 324 and increased frequency on routes 65, 69 and N15.
Many of the frequency reductions have been in inner and central London, where increased rail capacity and improved active travel options continue to change the way people travel. Demand on many central and inner London routes was declining prior to the coronavirus pandemic, and while the pandemic’s long-term impacts on demand are currently unclear, ridership is not expected to fully return to pre-pandemic levels in the near future. TfL will continue to monitor demand across the network. Londoners will continue to experience an accessible, regular and reliable service.
A list of the routes and the associated frequency changes has been supplied in an attachment.

The Mayor: 4347 attachment Reductions in bus frequency Caroline Pidgeon.xlsx

Road Collision Investigation Branch

Caroline Pidgeon: The Government is now consulting on the creation of a Road Collision Investigation Branch (RCIB) to thematically investigate road collisions. Will you and TfL be submitting a response to this consultation and will this be published?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) and I welcome the government’s proposal to create a Road Collision Investigation Branch (RCIB). No death on the roads is acceptable or inevitable, and TfL hope that the creation of a RCIB can begin to bring the same safety gains and zero tolerance approach seen in collision investigation branches in the rail, aviation, and maritime sectors. TfL will be responding to the Government’s consultation and I have asked that a copy of the response is shared with you and the Transport Committee in due course.

Obstructing the London Assembly’s Statutory Right to Scrutinise TfL Decision-Making under your terms as Chair (2)

Keith Prince: In your response to Question 2021/3715 you mistakenly suggest that documentation contained in your response to 2020/1727 responds to my question, yet that information contains no mention about the scaling back of safety visits by TfL staff to bus depots or buses themselves. In fact, it doesn’t mention bus depots at all. Am I to assume that your misleading response is confirmation that there is no documentation to support the Deputy Mayor’s written statement that TfL’s decision to scale back safety visits to bus depots “was not taken lightly”? I am concerned that you appear to be obstructing the London Assembly’s right to scrutinise decision-making by the transport organisation you have chaired for over five years.

The Mayor: My statement in response to Mayor’s Question 2021/3715 was intending to clarify that the response to question 2020/1727, in which you asked for ‘copies of all internal communications mentioning Coronavirus or Covid-19 sent during Jan and Feb 2020’, would not have been relevant to question 2021/3715 because the communications in that period pre-dated the decision to stop non-essential visits across all parts of Transport for London (TfL).
Decisions were taken to scale back on a range of activities following the Government’s announcement of the first national lockdown from 23 March 2020, instructing people to “stay at home to save lives”. This was not unique to just site visits to bus garages, and involved consideration of whether tasks were ‘critical’ (activities that the operational business relies on to operate and should not be stopped) or ‘essential’ (activities required to support the business to operate).
TfL had to weigh up the risk of introducing additional people into bus garages at a time when people were only permitted to leave home for a very limited number of reasons, including: to shop for basic necessities and collect medicines, to exercise once a day, or to travel to work when they absolutely couldn’t work from home. Reducing the number of people in the workplace that could pass on and spread the virus was therefore the most sensible step to take, but it wasn’t an easy one.
Daily liaison between TfL and the bus operators provided an alternative way of ensuring a consistent approach was being taken and for issues highlighted to be discussed and resolved without delay.

Obstructing the London Assembly’s Statutory Right to Scrutinise TfL Decision-Making under your terms as Chair (3)

Keith Prince: In your long-delayed 25 August response to 24 June Question 2021/2356, you stated:

"Recruitment is underway for Transport for London’s (TfL) Director of Bus Operations role. This is a competitive internal and external recruitment campaign to ensure TfL finds a suitable candidate. TfL will provide an update once an individual has been appointed to the role.”

On 18 October, in response to Question 2021/3888 you stated:

"Following a competitive recruitment process, Transport for London (TfL) appointed Louise Cheeseman as the new Director of Buses. Louise joined TfL on Monday 2 August.”

However, a 13 July article in Intelligent Transport https://www.intelligenttransport.com/transport-news/126575/louise-cheese... announced
"TfL appoint Louise Cheeseman as Director of Buses” and contains a quote from Gareth Powell, Managing Director of Surface Transport at TfL:

“I’m thrilled that Louise will be joining us to lead the decarbonisation of London’s buses while helping this iconic form of transport support London’s sustainable recovery.”

If TfL Senior Executives were making public statements about Louise Cheeseman’s appointment in July 2021, will you acknowledge that your responses to Questions 2021/2356 and 2021/3888 were inaccurate and untimely?

The Mayor: Due to an administrative error, there was a delay to the publication of Mayor’s Question 2021/2356.
Louise Cheeseman was appointed as the new Director of Buses and joined Transport for London on Monday 2 August.

Changes in bus frequency before ULEZ expansion

Siân Berry: Could you list all changes to bus frequency, alterations to bus stops served and changes to bus schedules which Transport for London (TfL) will deliver between your election in May 2021 and 25 October 2021, when the expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) launches?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) keeps the bus network under continuous review to ensure that services reflect changing demand and deliver value for money. In central and inner London, increased rail capacity and improved active travel options have continued to change the way people travel. Demand on many bus routes was declining prior to the coronavirus pandemic, and while the long-term impacts remain unclear, ridership is not expected to fully return to pre-pandemic levels in the near future. Making some frequency reductions at certain times to reflect projected usage will help rebuild TfL’s financial sustainability by reducing operating costs, ensuring it can continue to invest in the services that customers rely on.
A summary of changes is listed below. More detail for each service change has been provided in the attachment.
Changes implemented between 6 May 2021 and 25 October 2021 include:

The Mayor: 3554 Changes in bus frequency before ULEZ expansion Berry attachment.xlsx

Advice to transport workers on supporting women’s safety

Caroline Russell: Transport unions have written to me sharing advice from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) that they may intervene in situations where a woman considers themselves to be in danger when being approached by an officer. There is currently no guidance for drivers of transport vehicles and other staff on what they should do in such circumstances. Are you now going to instruct Transport for London (TfL) to provide such advice?

The Mayor: Members of the public can seek assistance from Transport for London (TfL) staff when using the transport network. TfL knows that many people already do, with staff regularly intervening and supporting customers and members of the public. TfL has systems and processes in place for transport staff to request advice and/or further police assistance through its 24/7 control centres, which would allow them to respond to situations such as the one you describe.
TfL already has processes and guidance in place for drivers and other transport staff that would enable them to act on recent advice from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). If a bus driver witnesses or is made aware of a serious incident like this, they would use their on-bus radio to seek advice and support from the control centre. It is the same process for other frontline transport staff working across the TfL network; staff would use their normal reporting procedures to request further police assistance.

Imperial College London’s INHALE project and the ULEZ extension

Onkar Sahota: Is your office working with Imperial College London’s INHALE project to assess the impact of the ULEZ extension in West London? If so, will you be reporting the results of this study and when would these be published, roughly?

The Mayor: The INHALE projectinvestigates howpersonal exposure to air pollutioncan be reducedthrough measures such as green infrastructure, rather than large scaleemissions-reduction interventionslike theUltra LowEmission Zone (ULEZ).Imperial College Londonhas not approachedmy office orTransport for London (TfL) to useTfL’s modelling as part of thisstudy.TfLis happy to work in collaboration with partnerstoshareinformation about air qualityschemes, including the expanded ULEZ,when available.The impacts of the expanded ULEZ will beassessed and reported onover the coming 18 months.

Right to Buy Back scheme

Tony Devenish: Further to your recently-announced Right to Buy Back arrangement with Islington, could you please confirm the level of funding provided by the GLA, which funding pot this has come from, and when the new homes will be made available?

The Mayor: The level of funding provided for 80 homes in LB Islington under the Right to Buy Back programme was within the acceptable tolerances of the published grant guidelines. This comes from the Affordable Homes Programme 16-23 budget and the new homes will be made available by March 2022.

Metropolitan Police Service Estates (3)

Tony Devenish: For each of the last three years, how much income was the Metropolitan Police Service estates expected to generate as part of the budget-setting process?

The Mayor: The table below sets out both the original capital receipts budget and the revised budget approved at Q2. The Q2 update was required to reflect a number of unforeseen events which are explained below:
2018/19
We experienced significant delays in disposing of a number of buildings due to
(a) a Judicial Review of the proposed closure of the Wimbledon front counter (this review applied to the proposed closure of all front counters as part of the public access strategy)
(b) delays in the completion of the redevelopment of Belvedere which impacted on the disposal of associated properties
(c) the evaluation of the most appropriate route for disposal of Paddington Green which was related to the unique position of a developer of a neighbouring site and restrictive covenants which it held over the Paddington Green site
2019/20
Slippage into future years as disposals were put on hold whilst clarity was sought on the potential impact on the estate of the officer uplift, and revised timelines following a review of the capital receipts as part of the wider review of the estate strategy.
Original Budget
£M
Revised Budget
£M
2018/19
155.3
12.9
2019/20
62.6
16.3
2020/21
87.8
60.7

Metropolitan Police Service Estates (2)

Tony Devenish: For each of the last three years, how much income has the Metropolitan Police Service estates strategy generated in income?

The Mayor: In the last 3 years MOPAC has generated the following capital receipts
2018/19  £4.8m,
2019/20  £12m,
2020/21 £78.5m

Platform Safety Reviews

Emma Best: What recent reviews have assessed platform safety and safe station exit and entry at London stations?

The Mayor: I am informed that London Underground (LU) had reviewed all Congestion Control and Emergency Plans by the end of October 2021. This was done in consultation and collaboration with nominated Safety Champions and Trade Union Health & Safety Representatives. These reviews looked at both the evacuation and congestion management elements of the plans and were then validated by the LU Contingency Planning Team. All of these plans are reviewed on an annual basis and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was considered as part of this.

Bond Street Station

Emma Best: When will the new Bond Street Station be completed?

The Mayor: The team at Bond Street station are pushing hard and making good progress, and there is growing confidence in the schedule to finish the station.
Bond Street has recently met its requirements to support Trial Operations, the final phase of the Crossrail programme. This means that the station is ready for full scale passenger evacuation and emergency intervention. This is the minimum requirement needed for the railway to enter into passenger service.
The opening of the railway will be independent of whether Bond Street station is available for use by passengers, but the team continues to work towards getting the station open as soon as possible.

Rail Grinding

Emma Best: Broken down by year and line, please advise the Assembly of the total amount of money spent on rail grinding on each TfL rail line over the past 5 years?

The Mayor: Transport for London’s (TfL) approximate spending on rail grinding over the last five years is listed below. This covers all rail grinding on the Tube network,includinggrinding carried out to manage rail defects and maximise asset life, as well as specifically for the purpose of noise reduction. These figures include both machine and protection costs, as well as staff costs.
2017/18 - £10.2 million
2018/19 - £10.4 million
2019/20 - £8.6 million
2020/21 -£6.8 million
2021/22 - £9.5 million (planned spending).
TfL does not record this data on a line-by-line basis.
In recent years, TfL has achieved efficiencies as part of its management of its rail grinding programme, meaning a reduction in the costs of grinding per metre.
In the past six months alone, TfL has carried outaround 14,400 metres of rail grinding on the Tube network, specifically for the purpose of noise reduction.

Policing in Lewisham (5)

Len Duvall: Please provide an update on wider strategies across London and within my constituency to address weapon enabled personal robbery.

The Mayor: The MPS uses similar strategies to target personal robbery across London, including Lewisham. Tactics include high visibility patrols in areas of concern by locally based Violence Suppression Unit and Violent Crime Task Force teams are also deployed in robbery hotspots.
Operation Venice uses bespoke tactics to tackle robbery using highly skilled officers who are trained and authorised to use tactical contact against those using mopeds and motorbikes to commit robbery and theft snatches. Operation Sceptre conducts activities such as weapon sweeps and locating wanted offenders. Where appropriate, covert operations are conducted.
This work is underpinned by fortnightly meetings with MPS Silver robbery meetings attended by all BCU robbery leads, and Gold robbery group meetings attended by representatives from the BCU Senior Leadership Teams and are chaired by Commander Murray, the lead for violence.

Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in London (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: The tragic murder of Sabina Nessa has shone a light on the concerns and fears of women, particularly from minority ethnic communities, who are frustrated that so often their cases do not receive the same level of attention and support. How are you working to ensure that women from these communities feel listened to and supported when it comes to addressing violence against them?

The Mayor: I was deeply saddened by the murder of Sabina Nessa. I want every woman and girl to be safe, and to feel safe wherever they are in the capital. I will continue to do more to intervene and prevent violence against women and girls.
Public consultation activity for both the Police and Crime Plan and the refresh of my VAWG Strategy includes a Talk London and YouGov survey, with specific VAWG focused questions. Alongside this, the Victims’ Commissioner is holding a series of workshops to consult with victims and survivors, focusing on those who are often underrepresented, including 3 round tables with black victims.
It’s also crucial that the police have the trust and confidence of all Black and minority ethnic Londoners and my Action Plan sets out how to improve transparency, accountability, and trust in policing.

Policing in Lewisham Park (2)

Len Duvall: What analysis has been made of trends in robbery with a weapon across Lewisham?

The Mayor: All robbery allegations are analysed to identify links or trends on a daily basis, this includes weapon enabled offences.
There has been a cluster of 3 knife enabled robberies in Brookmill Park, Lewisham, in the last twelve weeks. A suspect has been arrested for these offences and remains on police bail. Over the last 12 weeks there have been 17 robbery or attempted robbery offences across Lewisham where an implement has been used or threatened. There was no bespoke profile created, but they featured in daily analysis of risk and part of the Tactical Tasking Coordination Group (TTCG) intelligence product.
There are no other identified linked series of offences across Lewisham at present. Overall, the South East BCU continues to have the second lowest rate of reported robberies across London.

Additional Exit at Chingford Rail Station

Emma Best: Will the Mayor commit to reviewing whether an additional exit from Chingford Rail Station (using the alleyway connecting the Station to Beresford Road) can be considered to alleviate dangerous crowding at peak times?

The Mayor: Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I have asked Transport for London to investigate the need for an additional exit at Chingford rail station to alleviate crowding at this location, together with the feasibility of this change. I will share the outcome of this assessment once it is available.

Glyphosate use

Hina Bokhari: Please provide an update on the work to implement the recommendations of the London Assembly motion on glyphosate use, which was agreed unanimously in July 2019, calling on the Mayor to cease the use of this herbicide on GLA land and the Transport for London estate?

The Mayor: Glyphosate is no longer used across sites the GLA is directly responsible for managing such as Parliament Square.
Since early 2019 TfL have undertaken trials on phasing out its use. Effective alternatives must ensure the safety of the transport network is not compromised. Given these challenges, there are currently limited viable alternatives that can be used at scale across TfL’s transport network. Across their high-speed road network, glyphosate use has been reduced by over 60%.
Tfl will continue to investigate alternatives. Other organisations managing transport networks across the UK, such as Network Rail, as well as international rail operators, are currently facing similar challenges in finding effective alternatives.
My Environment team have started preparing an action plan. This will ensure a systematic approach to reducing pesticide use is taken by the GLA Group. It will include targets and interim milestones for each member and will be published in the new year.

Explanation for why 1 September 2008 Amended and Restated Operating Agreement between TfL and TOL was never executed

Neil Garratt: In your response to Question 2021/2880 you state that the 1 September 2008 Amended and Restated Operating Agreement between TfL and Trams Operation Limited (TOL) "was not executed but the parties proceeded on the basis of those terms”.

Since, as you’ve indicated in your response to Question 2021/2881, Peter Hendy was the signatory for TOL on the 25 November 1996 TOL-TCL (Tramtrack Croydon Limited) Agreement and, in principle, would have been the signatory (as TfL Commissioner) for TCL on the 1 September 2008 agreement, how can you explain why TfL and TOL never formalised this long-term contractual relationship until over 9 years after TfL acquired TCL from its owners and over a year after the Sandilands catastrophe?

The Mayor: The contractual relationship was the subject of commercial discussions at various points over the period which were not finalised. The content of the discussions is commercially confidential, but Transport for London (TfL) can confirm that the identity of the TfL Commissioner to July 2015 had no bearing on them.

X26 Bus (4)

Neil Garratt: Transport for London is currently undertaking a safety review along the length of the X26 bus route, I would like to draw your attention to the unusual safety issues around the ponds on the A232 in Carshalton. The road is too narrow for two buses to pass; whole sections have little or no pavement; there is a long stretch with no pedestrian crossing which leads to people crossing the road where visibility is poor; and it is a site rich with heritage so any highways engineering must be sensitive. The problems are not new, and a recent serious accident galvanised local residents to hold a productive public meeting to seriously review the available options. Would you join me in writing to TfL to ask it to ensure that this section of the route is given proper consideration during this X26 bus safety review, so this opportunity to address these long-standing safety problems is not missed?

The Mayor: Bus routes are assessed in advance by Transport for London (TfL) officers and bus operators so that any unique features are taken into account and can be drawn to the attention of drivers. However, TfL is aware of the desire for improved pedestrian facilities and lower traffic speeds in the Carshalton Ponds area and is undertaking a review of this location. Any future scheme here is subject to future funding availability, and prioritisation of this location alongside other locations across London – with consideration of safety and risk data, information on local travel patterns, and area characteristics such as proximity to local schools.

LIP Funding Breakdown

Neil Garratt: Please provide a breakdown of the LIP funding each London borough received for every year since 2000.

The Mayor: Funding for borough projects is allocated in a variety of ways, which has evolved over time to reflect each of the Mayor’sTransport Strategies. Local Implementation Plan (LIP) is a generic term used to cover any funding that Transport for London provides to boroughs for infrastructure and other improvement projects. This funding is allocated under several main programmes including (a) by LIP funding formula, based on transport need, (b) discretionary funding for bus priority and borough cycling,(c) borough assets funding for bridge and principal road maintenance and (d) programmes awarded by a bidding process such as the Mini Hollands, LIP Major Schemes, and Liveable Neighbourhoods.
Atable is attached showing all LIP allocations to boroughs between 2007 and 2020.Prior to 2007, adifferentsystem and mechanism for allocating funding was in place. The currentformula-based mechanism was agreed after consultation with the boroughs and London Councils in 2007. Records prior to this are notcomparable and would require time to extractfrom financialrecords. Please note, due to the pandemic, the funding allocated in 2020/21 was distributed as part of the Streetspace programme and did not follow the usual formula allocation.

The Mayor: 3902 - LIP funding breakdown appendix.pdf

Recycling of waste collected at London Underground stations

Hina Bokhari: What percentage of waste collected at London Underground stations was recycled in the last year?

The Mayor: The pandemic saw a 64 per cent drop in the total amount of waste collected by Transport for London (TfL), as well as a decline in waste that could be recycled such as free newspapers (which paused print runs during the pandemic), cups and food wrappers. As a result, the total level of recycling from London Underground stations between 1 March 2020 and 20 September 2020 dropped to 8.89 per cent from 17 per cent in 2019.
However, TfL is now seeing significant improvements in its levels of recycling. Between 20 September 2020 and 18 September 2021, 14.81 per cent of waste from LU stations was recycled.
TfL is developing a plan to meet the target I have set in my Environment Strategy of 65 per cent of London’s municipal waste to be recycled by 2030, and this is a key target within its recently published Corporate Environment Plan. Measures include introducing food waste facilities at its high food-producing sites, working with station tenants to segregate dry mixed recyclable waste, and working with its cleaning contractors to segregate litter picking at source.

Immigrant Abuse and Trust in Police

Caroline Pidgeon: A report by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for the first time recognises ‘immigration abuse’ as a form of coercion and control. The risk that police may pass information to immigration enforcement means that migrant victims fear reporting abuse. How are you working with the Met and other agencies to ensure immigrants in London feel safe and empowered to report abuse, particularly migrant women?

The Mayor: I commend the Domestic Abuse (DA) Commissioner’s report and call for ‘immigration abuse’ to be recognised. I am disappointed that the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 failed to ensure migrant women and their children are protected. I have repeatedly written to the Home Secretary specifically calling to abolish the no recourse to public funds policy and to adopt a ‘firewall’ in regard to sharing victims’ personal details with immigration officials.
HMICFRS has proposed an immediate interim ‘firewall’ pending the Home Office review and formal guidance. The MPS’s policy is that a victim’s residency status is not disclosed. We will continue to work together with specialist VAWG service providers and survivors to ensure that this is the lived experience of the system.
MOPAC will continue to work with the MPS, the VAWG sector and the DA Commissioner’s Office to ensure policies are adhered to and to enable better protections specifically for migrant women.

TfL station car park developments (5)

Emma Best: What is the cost to TfL of its appeal against the refusal of planning permission for the Arnos Grove station car park development?

The Mayor: The appeal is ongoing and the full cost is not yet known. Transport for London will be able to provide this information when the process has completed.

TfL station car park developments (6)

Emma Best: What is the cost to TfL of its appeal against the refusal of planning permission for the Canons Park station car park development?

The Mayor: The Canons Park appeal is funded by the developer for this project, Catalyst Housing Limited, so there is no cost to Transport for London.

District line

Leonie Cooper: Are there any plans to make the district line part of the night tube network and if yes, when does TfL hope to have it up and running?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) recently confirmed that Central and Victoria line Night Tube services, as well as Night Overground, will return this year, after being paused in March 2020. This will provide another option for easy and safe travel at night for thousands of Londoners,and is an important milestone as London's vibrant night-time economy continues to recover from the pandemic.
TfL’s initial focus is on a full reinstatement of Night Tube, as it was prior to the pandemic, running on the Jubilee, Piccadilly and Northern lines. Any plans for a further extension of the Night Tube network will be kept under review, and will depend on where there is demand as well as the financial impact of any extension.

School Streets

Leonie Cooper: How many primary schools in
1.) Merton
2.) Wandsworth
are now operating school streets during school drop off/pick up hours?

The Mayor: Over the course of the London Streetspace Programme (April– October 2020), 28 School Street schemes were delivered in Merton, and 15 in Wandsworth.
Unfortunately, I am unable to provide data for schemes delivered using other funding sources, as Transport for London does not actively track School Streets delivery which isn’t directly funded through its borough active travel programmes.

Tube Noise

Anne Clarke: How many complaints have you had about tube noise in the last year, broken down as best as you can by nearest station?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is continuing to tackle Tube noise through a number of different methods. This includes rail grinding, which works by smoothing rails and removing corrugation, which is often the root cause of residential noise. Over the last six months, TfL has undertaken a significant amount of noise and vibration-related rail grinding, covering around 14,400 metres of rail.
In addition, TfL continues to carry out other targeted interventions to reduce noise, including the removal of redundant rail joints, the maintenance of points and crossings, and re-ballasting track where required.
The attached spreadsheet shows residential noise complaints received by TfL between November 2020 and October 2021, broken down by section.

The Mayor: 4629 Tube Noise.xlsx

Wellbeing Stations

Onkar Sahota: Is there an update on the sites that will be used on the TfL network for the new wellbeing stations?

The Mayor: I have asked Transport for London (TfL) to look at piloting a wellbeing station. TfL is meeting with colleagues at City Hall to scope and explore a location and outcome objectives of such a pilot. If the pilot is successful, there will be the potential to expand it to other stations.

Cost of adding walking and cycling facilities to Silvertown Road Tunnel (1)

Siân Berry: During the preliminary case for the scheme for Silvertown Road Tunnel a figure of £70 million was quoted for the addition of walking and cycling facilities. Do you still agree that this is all it would cost to add a permanent, 24-hour accessible link for walking and cycling to Silvertown Road Tunnel, and how does it compare in terms of capacity, and trip time and cost to the proposed bus service?

The Mayor: During the development of the Silvertown Tunnel scheme, Transport for London (TfL) undertook a number of studies to inform the scheme design, including whether and how cross-river walking and cycling provision could be improved. £70m is within the range of the outline cost estimates TfL considered for enlarging one of the tunnel bores to accommodate walking and cycling within the invert of a dedicated ‘subway’. This option also has limitations in terms of the significant length of the route (it would be three times longer than Greenwich foot tunnel), personal safety and security, ease of access for all users, and overall attractiveness as a route.
This option was not included in the design that was taken forward in the Development Consent Order (DCO) application, or in the scope of the contract with Riverlinx. Further work would therefore need to be undertaken to review the cost figure in light of the final DCO for the scheme, other development plans in the area, and the impacts on the contract with Riverlinx, which has now substantially progressed the tunnel design and initial construction works. It is also important to note that any estimates are reflective of feasibility work carried out over five years ago. Given this, and developments in design standards since that time, I anticipate the cost would be significantly higher.
As part of my review of the scheme when becoming Mayor in 2016, I ensured that TfL committed to improving cross-river cycling provision prior to the new tunnel opening, and this is reflected in the DCO requirements. Similarly, pedestrians will be catered for through the significantly improved cross-river bus links the new crossing enables. TfL will share in due course further details on both provision for cycling and the new bus services with the London boroughs and other partners through the Silvertown Tunnel Implementation Group (STIG).

IOPC Report on Taser Use (3)

Caroline Pidgeon: The IOPC Director General Michael Lockwood has said “We’d like to see communities more involved in decisions around the use of Taser - Police and crime commissioners have an important role to play providing this assurance at a local level.” What work and engagement are you and the Met undertaking with communities in London to ensure they are more involved in decisions around taser use?

The Mayor: We are undertaking a Community Engagement Review. The objective is to assess and redesign the process for involving communities in scrutinising MPS use of powers - including stop and search,Taser and use of handcuffs - in every London borough. The redesign will ensure a wide range of communities, including those with lived experience of police use of force are actively involved in holding the police to account, and that the wider public can have confidence in this process.
The new framework for community-led scrutiny is expected to be in place by Summer 2022.
The MPS is committed to the introduction of Police Encounter Panels (PEPs) in each of the 12 BCUs. These panels will extend the opportunity for communities to review police encounters, including when Taser is used.
The MPS is also in the process of creating a specific Taser Independent Advisory Group (IAG), ensuring that the group’s membership is diverse and relevant. This new group will listen to community representatives and feedback their views into the MPS’s continuous development of Taser training.

384 bus (4)

Anne Clarke: The recent review into the performance of the new 384 bus route recognises the difficulty of hailing the bus on Edgeworth Road, and proposed installing permanent bus stops. I understand that this was proposed to Barnet Council some time ago, but without response from the Council. Whom did TfL raise this request with?

The Mayor: Barnet Council’s Environment Directorate are in regular contact with Transport for London on the proposal for fixed bus stops along the 384 bus route, including around Edgeworth Road, and discussions continue on potential options. Any fixed bus stops are subject to the availability of funding and would require changes to the highway so would need to go through various governance processes at the Council, including local consultation, before delivery.

384 bus (2)

Anne Clarke: Residents of Salisbury Road in High Barnet continue to report objections to the 384 bus using their road, as this causes blockages, and in some cases altercations. What assessment did TfL make of re-routing the bus back towards its previous route, and how many objections did the previous route attract when it was changed?

The Mayor: During the consultation on route changes 159 respondents cited concerns over road widths along the route, including Salisbury Road, while 389 respondents were concerned about walking distances.
Route 384 was rerouted along Salisbury Road eastbound in order to separate it from the westbound direction, which would reduce the likelihood of issues with buses passing each other on space-constrained roads. This change balances the need to minimise the impact of buses running through the area and conflict between buses.
The new route has reduced delay while also ensuring the area is served by the bus network, with direct links to the local London Underground station and hospital. If the route did not serve Alston and Salisbury Roads, schools and residents to the north would be up to 800 metres from the bus network. Transport for London (TfL) has also noted that the previous routing was itself the subject of complaint in the past.

Night Bus Frequencies

Elly Baker: I understand that night bus frequency is being reviewed and that night tube/overground ridership will be a factor in what level of frequencies the review recommends. Can you confirm this is correct and will you agree to publish the details of the review as well as the final review once it is complete?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) keeps the bus network, including the night bus network, under continuous review. It will continue to monitor night bus loadings as demand continues to recover following the pandemic. Night bus demand will be affected by the return of Night Tube, as well as the speed of recovery of work and leisure activities, and these will be taken into account in any plans for service changes.
TfL will engage and communicate in the usual way on any changes to night bus services, including consultation where it is proposed to change a route configuration or withdraw a route.

Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in London (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: We need to ensure that the discourse on VAWG does not stray, again, into one about how a woman can keep herself safe, but instead how we can educate and change attitudes on how women are treated. With work underway on your refreshed VAWG Strategy how are you ensuring that the views of as many women as possible are sought, particularly those from marginalised and underrepresented groups?

The Mayor: Violence against women and girls is still all too prevalent, but this is not a problem for women and girls to solve, this is a societal wide issue. My refreshed VAWG Strategy will take a public health approach, working with all partners to look at where interventions can be made earlier.
Public consultation activity for both the Police and Crime Plan and the VAWG Strategy includes a Talk London and YouGov survey, with specific VAWG focussed questions. People can also submit written responses. Alongside this, the Victims’ Commissioner is holding a series of workshops to consult with victims and survivors, focusing on those who are often underrepresented. We are also holding a series of thematic workshops with stakeholders, both statutory and non-statutory, on complex areas that require strategic partnership work to tackle them.
Through these activities we will seek the views of as many women as possible, including those from marginalised and underrepresented groups.

Bus Driver Deaths from Covid-19 since March 2020

Keith Prince: Further to your responses to Questions 2020/0527 and 2021/1967, please provide me with a breakdown of bus driver deaths from Covid-19 by bus operator (a) since 9 March 2021 to the present and (b) since March 2020 to 8 March 2021.

The Mayor: The friends and families of colleagues who have lost their lives to Covid-19 are in my thoughts. We will continue to do everything we can to keep staff and passengers safe.
The spreadsheet attached (“Bus driver covid deaths”) provides the requested information in relation to those staff who have sadly died as a result of Covid-19.
To date we have sadly lost 58 bus driver colleagues to Covid-19 related illness. The attached spreadsheet provides a summary of those colleagues lost by operator between the dates requested.
Please continue to note that bus operators vary in size and in the proportion of routes that they operate on Transport for London’s network.

The Mayor: 4495 Bus Driver Deaths from Covid-19 since March 2020 ATTACHMENT.xlsx

Donations from the Freemasons to GLA Functional Bodies

Caroline Pidgeon: Please set out the donations GLA functional bodies have received from the Freemasons over the last five years broken down by (i) the functional body, (ii) the amounts received and when they were received.

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has not received any donations from the Freemasons in the last five years. TfL also does not receive charitable donations.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) has received £2,497,758.79 in donations across the last five financial years from the Freemasons and this is disaggregated by financial year below.
The donation to LFB was to fund two extended reach 64-metre Turntable Ladder appliances and ancillary equipment and six plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
Financial year
Donation
2016/2017
Nil
2017/2018
£375,000.00
2018/2019
£881,316.01
2019/2020
£1,442.78
2020/2021
£1,240,000.

Speeding of buses (1)

Hina Bokhari: What steps are being taken to resolve the issue of buses not observing 20 mph speed limits. I have for example received reports of speeding buses on the routes 200, 413, 152 and 655 using Grand Drive and Haydons Road in Merton.

The Mayor: The roll out of Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) extends to around one in five buses in the fleet including the latest buses that came onto route 200. While Transport for London (TfL) continues to bring in new buses that have ISA and retrofit the technology to mid-life buses, bus operators can also use the telematics systems on modern buses. These are diagnostic systems that can help operators to check average speeds in corridors of London. TfL will ask the operators of routes 152, 413 and 655 to check speeds for these Merton locations to ensure that these buses are observing the speed limit.

Policing on the TfL Network

Elly Baker: Can you update the table contained inMQ 2019/14548with the actual figures for 2019/20, 2020/21 and expected figures for 2021/22?

The Mayor: The attached table shows the budgeted number of officers funded by Transport for London in 2019/20 to 2021/22 broken down by police force, specifically: British Transport Police (BTP), Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and City of London Police (CoLP).

The Mayor: 4121 Policing on the TfL Network Baker attachment.xlsx

Knife wands

Emma Best: Why was there no MOPAC funding for knife wands in the years 2019/2020 and 2020/2021?

The Mayor: MOPAC offered to fund a further £10,000 for knife wands in 2019/20 however the Metropolitan Police Service reported that existing stocks of wands were sufficient to meet the demand from schools. With existing supplies sufficient to meet demand, the commitment in the Knife Crime Strategy – that every school in London could access a knife wand through their Safer Schools Officer – had been met.

London Cannabis Study Recommendations

Caroline Pidgeon: Will you be considering the findings of the recently published London Cannabis Study as part of the work on delivering your manifesto commitment to set up a London Drugs Commission to review, investigate and report on drug laws, particularly around the question of whether cannabis should be legalised?

The Mayor: The Commission will be made up of independent experts. It will be up to the Commission itself to identify and evaluate the best evidence from both here and across the globe on the most effective way to tackle violence, protect communities and reduce harm

Cobblers and repair shops

Zack Polanski: Does the data the GLA purchases from the Local Data Company include information about the numbers of cobblers and other repair shops across London? If so, could you share this data?

The Mayor: In the Local Data Company extract for March 2021, in category ‘Shops & Amenities’, 96 businesses are listed as ‘Shoe Repairs’.

Handling of Indecent Exposure Reports and Allegations

Caroline Pidgeon: The Met has said that it is taking steps to treat indecent exposure allegations and reports more seriously. Please outline the steps that are being taken.

The Mayor: From October all victims who report indecent exposure crimes will be offered a visit by the MPS. If the incident is ongoing there will be an immediate deployment of an officer, to provide the best opportunity to detain the suspect, gather evidence and support the victim. If an incident is reported but no victim is known, an officer will be deployed to investigate at the earliest opportunity. Incidents of public indecency will be brought to the attention of the Emergency Response and Patrol Team supervisors and the duty Basic Command Unit (BCU) Operations Manager.
All subsequent sexual offence secondary investigations are conducted by a Detective, primarily within Local Investigations units. However, any linked series of indecent exposure offences, or more complex cases, will be led by the Public Protection Predatory Offender Units. In October, all ‘live’ indecent exposure investigations across the MPS were also reviewed by BCU Detective Sergeants in order to ensure secondary investigations are progressing appropriately.

Domestic Abuse attrition rate

Unmesh Desai: Please provide the attrition rate for domestic abuse prosecutions brought forward by the Met police in each of the last 3 years.

The Mayor: There are difficulties in providing a figure for attrition overall. This has been identified as a national issue in the HMICFRS thematic reports on domestic abuse. MOPAC Evidence and Insight team are working with the Met to improve what data can be collected and how this can improve our understanding of attrition from the criminal justice process, including an analysis into the Met’s use of closing investigations due to the victim not supporting further action as recommended by HMICFRS.
Published information related to Domestic Abuse by the Office for National Statistics shows that in 2018/19 41% of all outcomes of domestic abuse in the MPS were 'evidential difficulties - victim does not support further action’. This compares to an overall England and Wales figure of 53%. For 2019/20 this was 44% for the MPS compared to 54% across England and Wales. The figures are not yet available for 2020/21.
Crown Prosecution Service information shows that of the prosecutions for domestic abuse in London during 2020/21 (MPS and City of London Police combined), the conviction rate was 67% compared to 68% in the previous year.

Transport Accessibility (1)

Sem Moema: The Mayor has set a target to make 40% of London’s tube station step-free by Spring 2024. What challenges are there to achieving that target, and can you outline what progress has been made on step-free access in Hackney, Islington and Waltham Forest?

The Mayor: As explained in my previous response to MQ 2019/12247 (https://www.london.gov.uk/questions/2019/12247) funding pressures meant that Transport for London (TfL) subsequently revised its target to make 38 per cent of the Tube network step-free by 2024, rather than the original target of 40 per cent by 2022.
Following the huge impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on TfL’s finances and the need for a long-term funding agreement from the Government, TfL has had to reassess the scope of a number of programmes, including accessibility. TfL’s current plans will make around 34 per cent of the network step-free by the end of 2022.
Discussions have re-started with TfL’s supply chain on the paused step-free improvements at Burnt Oak, Hanger Lane and Northolt. Subject to these discussions, construction work at these stations could begin by next spring, allowing them to be completed in the coming years. This work would take the total to 35 per cent. Additional step-free schemes being explored beyond 2022 are subject to appropriate funding being secured.
With regard to work in the specific boroughs you mention:
Hackney – The borough is well served by London Overground services and its only Tube station is Manor House. There are currently no plans to install step-free access at this location.
Islington – Finsbury Park station became step free in January 2019 providing an important interchange between the Victoria and Piccadilly lines. There are currently no plans to make any other stations in Islington step free.
Waltham Forest -TfL and the London Borough of Waltham Forest are working together to identify and pursue potential funding sources for a step-free scheme at Walthamstow Central. Planning permission has been approved and the scheme proposes two 26 person lifts. Start and delivery dates for this project will not be confirmed until funding is secured.

384 bus [1]

Anne Clarke: Now that you are committing to permanent bus stops around Mount Pleasant and Edgeworth Road, is there a timeline for implementation?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) continues to liaise with Barnet Council, the relevant highway authority, to deliver new bus stops along route 384, including around Mount Pleasant and Edgeworth Road. The stops are going through the design process and are due to be delivered by Barnet Council and funded by TfL. While TfL hopes some stops can be delivered in early 2022, there can be no specific dates for implementation until TfL has clarity on its funding agreement with the Government beyond December 2021.

384 bus [2]

Anne Clarke: What conditions would need to be met before you considered providing a bus service around Linthorpe/ Northfield Roads on the New Bevan Estate?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has no plans to change the routing of route 384 through the Bevan Estate. If it ran along Linthorpe/ Northfield Roads, then residents on other roads would be disadvantaged through being further away from the nearest stop.
TfL continues to work with Barnet Council to deliver new stops along route 384, including at Mount Pleasant roundabout next to the eastern end of Northfield Road, to improve accessibility in the area. This would result in the maximum walking distance in the Bevan Estate being reduced to 470 metres. Please refer to my answer to Mayor’s Question 2021/4149 for further detail.

20 MPH

Elly Baker: Following question 2021/1473 can you provide the location of the 140km of TfL roads where 20MPH will be introduced?

The Mayor: Transport for London is working on a programme to reduce speed limits at locations on the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) where there are high levels of road danger. As detailed in my Vision Zero Action Plan, this includes 140km of the TLRN and 37 town centre locations. The attached map, also contained on page 20 of Transport for London’s Vision Zero action plan (https://content.tfl.gov.uk/vision-zero-action-plan.pdf), highlights locations across London where speed limits will be lowered, subject to funding.

Payments in lieu of notice (1)

Susan Hall: How many departing GLA employees have received payments/settlements in lieu of notice over the last 3 years? Please provide a breakdown by directorate.

The Mayor: Number of payments/settlements in lieu of notice
Directorate
1 April 2018 to
31 March 2019
1 April 2019 to
31 March 2020
1 April 2020 to
31 March 2021
Assembly Secretariat
1
2
0
Chief Officer’s Directorate
2
1
1
Communities & Skills
1
0
0
Good Growth
1
0
0
Housing & Land
2
0
0
London’s European Office
0
0
2
Mayor’s Office
1
0
0
Resources
3
2
2
Strategy & Communications
4
2
2
Total
15
7
7

Payments in lieu of notice (2)

Susan Hall: What is the value of said payments/settlements in lieu of notice to GLA employees over the last 3 years? Please provide a breakdown by directorate.

The Mayor: Cost of payments/settlements in lieu of notice
Directorate
Cost
£
Assembly Secretariat
37,704
Chief Officer’s Directorate
19,819
Communities & Skills
29,816
Good Growth
28,096
Housing & Land
14,491
London’s European Office
*39,938
Mayor’s Office
4,308
Resources
44,806
Strategy & Communications
67,901
Total
286,879
*Redundancy payments are treated differently under Belgian employment law. Payment is based on payment in lieu of notice, which is accrued at three months for every five years of service, up to 12 months, rather than a compensation payment based on years of service. Payment would have been made in Euros, but this figure has been calculated using exchangerates.org as of March 2021, when the payment was made.

Cycle hangers

Caroline Pidgeon: How many residential cycle hangers have been delivered since you were elected? How have these been funded?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) estimates that by the end of 2017, when data started being collected on hangars, there were approximately 1,200 residential cycle hangars across London. TfL’s current estimate is over 3,000 cycle hangars in London, a 150 per cent increase since 2017/18, providing a secure and convenient cycle parking space for over 18,000 Londoners. 735 of these new cycle hangars have been directly funded through TfL’s Healthy Streets programme since the launch of the Cycle Parking Implementation Plan in July 2019.

Progress on works at Holborn Gyratory

Caroline Pidgeon: What specific actions have been taken by a)TfL and b) Camden Council in relation to making Holborn Gyratory safe for cyclists during the month of September 2021?

The Mayor: The London Borough of Camden, as the Highway Authority, has led on changes at the junction of Southampton Row and Theobalds Road, with Transport for London (TfL) providing support and funding. Specific actions have included the design work and optioneering for the short-term safety improvements. This work has included road safety audits, completion of construction drawings for the design changes and required documentation under the relevant highway legislation and regulations.
TfL has fully supported LB Camden in the design process and has provided the required expertise to alter traffic signal timings to support the safe and effective operation of the new junction designs.
The short-term safety measures were delivered successfully over the weekend of 2 and 3 October 2021. Please also see my response to MQ 2021/4023.

Holborn Gyratory

Caroline Pidgeon: Please set out the exact steps that have been taken so far in the three stage delivery approach to tackling safety for people cycling through this junction as set out in your answer to 2021/3268.

The Mayor: Work to deliver urgent safety improvements at the junction of Southampton Row and Theobalds Road has now been completed by London Borough of Camden over the weekend of 2and 3 October 2021. These initial improvements included the installation of a traffic island between the left-turn and straight-ahead traffic lanes, and Advanced Stop Lines for cycling on the Southampton Row southbound approach, allowing bicycles to wait ahead of queueing traffic.
Medium-term proposals are also continuing to develop, with work progressing on the design, modelling and assessment of different options. Improvements are currently expected to be constructed in January 2022.
Longer term changes to the Holborn area are planned to be delivered under TfL’s Liveable Neighbourhoods Programme. These will be progressed once funding is secured, subject to TfL’s future funding deals with the government.

Angerstein Roundabout (1)

Emma Best: Please could you further explain why feasibility work on the Angerstein Roundabout has only just restarted?

The Mayor: Following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government gave Transport for London (TfL) funding to introduce trial measures to make it easier and safer for people to walk, cycle and use public transport. Given the urgency of the situation, it has been necessary for TfL to focus resources on delivering these London Streetspace Programme schemes. As part of this, TfL has worked with RB Greenwich to deliver trial significant improvements to the Angerstein Roundabout so that for the first time, cyclists can travel safely through the junction without having to mix with motor traffic as well as providing a more direct route for pedestrians. These improvements include providing new toucan crossings from the A206 and widening the pavements.
The latest Government funding settlement, agreed in May 2021, set aside £100m for investment in Healthy Streets schemes across London. Shortly after this funding was agreed, work on the previously consulted section of the Greenwich to Woolwich cycleway between Charlton and Woolwich re-started, along with a more transformational scheme at Angerstein Roundabout.

Angerstein Roundabout (2)

Emma Best: Please could you make clear your understanding of the urgency to fund improvement at the Angerstein Roundabout?

The Mayor: Angerstein roundabout was tragically the location of two recent cycle fatalities. Transport for London (TfL) and the Royal Borough of Greenwich are fully committed to making this roundabout a safer place to cycle through.
To underscore the importance of TfL’s and the Royal Borough’s commitments, trial cycle safety and pedestrian improvements were delivered at Angerstein roundabout in late 2020 as part of TfL’s Streetspace Plan. These changes are being closely monitored to better understand the impacts and benefits.
TfL is also looking closely at the potential of bringing forward more transformational changes to the roundabout in line with the plans consulted on in January 2020. These proposals would not just make the area safer and more attractive, but also help to reduce severance and air pollution for the local communities. Funding for these more transformational changes is yet to be secured as part of TfL’s ongoing short-term financial settlements from the Department for Transport. TfL and I continue to make the case for long-term funding to ensure London has a green, sustainable recovery from the pandemic.

TfL station car park schemes (1)

Emma Best: In our last Mayor’s Question Time you said "sometimes, TfL is really concerned and surprised…at the eleventh hour the council rejects the recommendations of officers when it comes to a scheme." In relation to this, can you confirm whether Harrow’s Planning Committee agreed or rejected planning officers’ recommendations in relation to the TfL Stanmore Station application?

The Mayor: Despite Transport for London (TfL) working collaboratively with Council officers, local councillors, and the community for several months, Harrow’s officers recommended TfL and Catalyst’s proposals for refusal very late in the development process. Elsewhere, housing projects by TfL and its partners, such as at Sudbury Town (Brent), Canons Park (Harrow) and Arnos Grove (Enfield), have had officer recommendation for approval that has then been overturned by council planning committees.
I have been clear that we need to build new homes in sustainable locations, including land close to stations. The development proposed by Catalyst at Stanmore would deliver 277 homes, all of which would be affordable, as well as a new step-free lift to the station. This would help local people off housing waiting lists and help make our transport system fairer and more inclusive for all Londoners. Harrow officers recognised that the provision of housing on the site was consistent with the local development plan’s broader objectives, and that Stanmore is a sustainable area for development. Harrow’s planning officers also recognised that the development would help meet their local objectives for affordable homes, as well as the Government’s own objective of boosting the housing supply.

Reviewing TfL and GLA power plans

Zack Polanski: What review has Transport for London (TfL) and the wider GLA undertaken of planned Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) in light of increased wholesale energy prices, and are you reconsidering the role of private wire supply or renewable asset funding?

The Mayor: Current high prices in the energy market make it a challenging time to be procuring long term energy contracts. However, Transport for London (TfL) remains committed to its goal of operating a zero-carbon railway by 2030 and is working through procurement options to allow it to go to market to secure contracts with renewable energy providers in coming months in line with this date. Similarly, the wider GLA group is working to agree plans for future energy purchasing using PPAs.
TfL is also exploring the use of private wire solutions, focussing on solar PV, and aims to go to market in 2022

Removal of downloadable Quarterly Bus Safety Spreadsheets from TfL website (3)

Keith Prince: Which TfL executive is responsible for the decision to remove downloadable quarterly bussafety data spreadsheets from TfL’s website?

The Mayor: The bus safety data publication is collaboratively managed by Transport for London’s (TfL’s) Safety, Health and Environment, and Bus Operations directorates, with all changes to the publication agreed by both as shown in response to Mayor’s Question 2021/3883.
Contrary to your assertion, TfL has not removed bus safety data from its website. The same data, dating back to 2014 is available to the same level of detail in an analysis tool called Power BI. This can be found on the Bus Safety Data pages on the TfL website.
Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2021/3883 for a copy of the decision made.

Protected cycle route on Tooting Bec Road

Caroline Pidgeon: Further to your response to Question 2021/3637, please list the 520other stretches of road where the excess harm is the same or greater than Tooting Bec Road.

The Mayor: In my previous response toMayor’s Question 2021/2682, Transport for London (TfL) provided a ranked list of 1,721 road links, across the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) and London Borough Principal Road Network (BPRN), which can be used to identify the casualty harm rate and excess harm at these locations. The 520 road stretches where excess harm is the same or greater than Tooting Bec Road can be identified from this list.
The excess harm analysis is one of the analytical tools TfL uses to help direct its efforts and provide advice to London’s boroughs about the areas most in need of attention. These tools are not the solution themselves, but are designed to benchmark road stretches against the network average in order to highlight where risk may be higher and where specific interventions may be merited.

LGBT Domestic Abuse (1)

Nicholas Rogers: What have your office and the MPS done to tackle LGBT Domestic Abuse in London?

The Mayor: Tackling the heinous crime of domestic abuse in the capital remains a key priority for me. My Office for Policing and Crime commission a range of services to both tackle the behaviour of perpetrators of domestic abuse, and to provide support for victims and survivors.
The London Victim and Witness Service provides specialist support to all victims of domestic abuse in London regardless of their identity. This includes specialist provision for LGBT+ victims.
The MPS Public Protection Improvement Plan seeks to improve the response and work of the police to these crimes. The MPS is also working closely with leading LGBT+ organisations to build relationships and understand the best ways to tackle specific concerns arising within the community.

Working from home impact on economy

Marina Ahmad: What analysis has the Greater London Authority (GLA) undertaken on the economic impact of working from home on a) the Central Activities Zone, b) outer London boroughs, and c) individual boroughs? If none yet, would the GLA consider undertaking this analysis?

The Mayor: Home working was one of several scenario drivers in the GLA-commissioned Arup study on the future of the Central Activity Zone (CAZ), alongside tourism and macroeconomic and demographic drivers. Moving from the “Bounce back to a new normal” to the “Widespread home-working” scenario could increase jobs at risk in the CAZ in 2023 by 14,000, of which 5,000 would be lost to London altogether.
The GLA will continue to monitor data and analysis on this and other drivers of recovery (including tourism) in the next few months, such as ongoing academic research by Jesse Matheson (Sheffield University) on the impacts of the ‘Zoomshock’ on expenditure and employment in retail and hospitality.

A205 Kew Road junction of Kew Green (North) – access arrangements onto and off the A205 south circular

Caroline Pidgeon: Will you ensure that TfL urgently works with Richmond Council and Kew Gardens to prioritise the improvement of the exit for vehicles onto Kew Road at the northern exit of Kew Green, in light of the recent road layout changes?

The Mayor: Richmond Council and Kew Gardens have approached Transport for London (TfL) requesting that an existing signalised pedestrian crossing is used to hold traffic on Kew Bridge, to enable drivers to exit Kew Green. The use of signals in this way is not in line with current regulations, although TfL is exploring this further with the Department for Transport. TfL will continue to work with the council and Kew Gardens to explore what solutions are available.

Inspectorate report into Violence against women and girls

Unmesh Desai: How will the recommendations within the recently published report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) into Violence Against Women and Girls impact upon the work of the Metropolitan Police?

The Mayor: HMICFRS have published a series of reports as part of their thematic inspection of how police forces respond to violence against women and girls. Learning from the inspection reports is informing the production of the Police and Crime Plan, and specifically the refresh of my Violence Against Women and Girls strategy.
The Inspectorate require the MPS to produce action plans in response and these are submitted to MOPAC, the most recent of which is the action plan following the final report on the ‘Police response to women and girls’. The action plans are reviewed by MOPAC and the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime oversees MPS progress in this area and regularly meets with MPS senior officers to discuss this and hold them accountable.
The recommendations of the reports require long-term and systemic changes on both a national and local level. The MPS remain committed to making all local changes necessary and are already using the recommendations from these reports to inform

Tooting Bec Road

Caroline Pidgeon: Further to your response to Question 2021/3640, how much funding is needed for this project?

The Mayor: As stated in my response to Mayor’s Question 2021/3637, this project is paused. In 2017, the estimated final cost for the project was approximately £800k. Around £50k has been spent to date. Upon project restart, this cost estimate would be updated to reflect inflation and new construction contract rates.

Passenger Service Contracts (2)

Elly Baker: Has the Government confirmed whether TfL will be able to bid for Passenger Service Contracts? If TfL is able to bid, will they?

The Mayor: The Williams-Shapps Rail Review does not state that public sector organisations will be able to “bid” for Passenger Service Contracts. This is currently forbidden by the relevant legislation and there is no suggestion that this is going to change.

Passenger Service Contracts (1)

Elly Baker: Should the new Passenger Service Contracts split up the existing franchises so that services largely within London form one contract and services largely outside London form another?

The Mayor: The splitting of Passenger Service Contracts ​in the way you suggestwould naturally need to offer value for money as well as be commercially viable for Transport to London (TfL) to pursue. I am not convinced that this split if imposed on each franchise would necessarily be feasible without sometimes adversely affecting the successful operation ​and commercial viabilityof services both in and outside London.Nonetheless, I am keen to continue to explore the remapping of existing franchise areas so that TfL could in time become the contracting authority on inner suburban services where this is commercially viable.
TfL will continue working with the Department for Transport and its agents, including the Great British Railways Transition Team, as the recommendations outlined in the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail are implemented. This includes sharing its experience operating passenger service contracts; the typeofwhichhasbeen endorsed in the plan.

Removal of downloadable Quarterly Bus Safety Spreadsheets from TfL website

Keith Prince: In response to Question 2021/0559 you stated, “Unfortunately, the compilation of this [Quarterly Bus Safety] data has historically been a resource-intensive task, but TfL is examining ways in which the process can be simplified, while retaining the appropriate level of detail. These changes, which TfL will complete in the coming months, will address this matter.”

A recent review of TfL’s Bus Safety Data site shows that all the downloadable quarterly bus safety data spreadsheets since 2014 have been removed and replaced with a “Bus Safety Dashboard” which does not allow the user, inter alia, to aggregate and analyse datasets outside the strict parameters defined by TfL.

Given TfL’s alleged commitment to data transparency, will you assure me that TfL will
1) restore all downloadable quarterly bus safety data spreadsheets to its website immediately?
2) commit to publishing this quarterly bus safety data in downloadable spreadsheet format?
In the meantime, please provide me with the Q2 2021 Bus Safety Publication Dataset in Excel format.

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has not removed bus safety data from its website. The same data, dating back to 2014, is available to the same level of detail in an analysis tool called Power BI. This can be found on the Bus Safety Data pages on the TfL website here: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/bus-safety-data#on-this-page-2. This change has been made to assist with analysis and scrutiny, and to improve efficiency around the collection and compilation of data within TfL.
The Power BI ‘publish to web’ function does not enable users to export data. To facilitate partner organisations exporting the data for further analysis, TfL is able to add London Assembly members to facilitate further access to the data that is already presented visually.
Publishing the bus safety data in this new format brings it in line with the standard of TfL’s reporting used for road safety and travel demand during Covid-19 and brings a range of benefits. These include:
TfL welcomes feedback on the content provided in this publication and will work to continue to improve its data offering to Londoners.

Removal of downloadable Quarterly Bus Safety Spreadsheets from TfL website (2)

Keith Prince: Please provide me with the emails, decision memorandums and meeting agendas associated with TfL’s decision to remove downloadable quarterly bus safety data spreadsheets from its website.

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has provided the nearest information to your request which is a record of approval for this change.
Contrary to your assertion, TfL has not removed bus safety data from its website. The same data, dating back to 2014, is available to the same level of detail in an analysis tool called Power BI. This information is available on the Bus Safety Data pages on the TfL website. This change has been made to assist analysis and scrutiny, and to improve efficiency in relation to the collection and compilation of data within TfL.

The Mayor: 3883 Removal of downloadable Quarterly Bus Safety Spreadsheets from TfL website (2) Keith Prince attachment.pdf


  3883 Removal of downloadable Quarterly Bus Safety Spreadsheets from TfL website (2) Keith Prince attachment 1.pdf

E-scooter fines and penalty points demographics

Caroline Russell: Could you provide demographic data on the: a) ethnicity, b) age, and c) gender of all people who have received fines and penalty points from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) for e-scooter offences this year?

The Mayor: E-scooters are classified as motor vehicles. There is no separate classification for them, like there is for motorcycles. This means that Traffic Offence Reports issued to e-scooters are recorded and classified as ‘other’ or can be included with car offences, as they are mechanically propelled vehicles. Extracting this data would require a manual search of thousands of entries, with a high risk of inaccuracy.

South West London Public Transport Crime

Nicholas Rogers: Please provide figures for violent crimes committed on public transport in South West London (Hounslow, Richmond and Kingston) since 2016. Please break down by year, borough, type of crime and mode of transport.

The Mayor: Data on crimes on buses is held by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), whereas data on crimes on London Underground and London Overground are held by the British Transport Police. Please find both sets of data attached.

The Mayor: 4542 South West London Public Transport Crime DATA.xlsx

Intensification of Industrial Land (3)

Sakina Sheikh: Do you believe the intensification of industrial land would also improve the environmental impact we would see if industrial sites are pushed outside of London? For example, by reducing the amount of freight journeys made in the city.

The Mayor: Intensifying industrial land within London is important both to ensuring sufficient capacity to support London’s economic functions as well as meeting our city’s housing needs. I agree that there are also potential environmental benefits, for example through shorter trips and much greater opportunity for use of sustainable travel modes, including cargo bikes. In order to realise these benefits industrial schemes coming forward in London need to be ambitious on mode shift and also address my London Plan policies on Healthy Streets, provide infrastructure for electric or other UltraLow Emission vehicles and incorporate sustainable drainage. Major developments will also need to deliver against the policies on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and urban greening.

Congestion Charge Revenue (1)

Tony Devenish: How much extra annual revenue would TfL expect to raise from the Congestion Charge being in place at weekends between 12:00 and 18:00?

The Mayor: Proposals to reduce the temporary congestion charge hours have recently been consulted on and the consultation closed on 6 October. Responses are now being analysed. If implemented, changes to the hours of operation would come into effect from 28 February 2022.
If the proposals are implemented, and the base charge level remains at £15, TfL forecasts that Saturday and Sunday charging between 12:00 and 18:00 will generate net revenue of £36m in 2022/23.

TfL Travel Mentoring Service (1)

Elly Baker: The March 2020 Transport Committee report “From step-free to stress-free: Accessible & inclusive transport” recommended that “TfL should expand its travel mentoring programme, to increase the number of disabled passengers using the transport network independently and with confidence”. You responded in October 2020 that “Due to COVID-19, TfL’s planned review of its travel mentoring programme was paused. An interim review was carried out to identify new objectives and safe systems of work for the Travel Mentors in light of the need for social distancing when delivering any mentoring activities”. Can you publish a copy of the interim review and explain what new objectives and safe systems of working were put in place as a result?

The Mayor: The interim review was not connected to the first action as it mainly concerned maintaining the travel mentor service in the face of pandemic challenges, not new objectives about how to take the service forward longer term. The internal policy and process document outlining Transport for London’s approach to Travel Mentoring during the pandemic is attached.
Fortunately, the service kept going with Covid-19-safe procedures and risk assessments. Virtual mentoring was also introduced, using a range of smartphone and personal computer applications, to assist with social distancing guidelines. I am pleased to say that the Travel Mentoring Service is now operating as it was before the pandemic and satisfying current demand, albeit this is lower than before.

The Mayor: Travel Mentor Operating Procedures Covid 19 FINAL SEPT 20.pdf

Northern line extension

Leonie Cooper: How many passengers have used the line in its first month of operation?

The Mayor: The Northern Line extension opened on 20 September 2021. In the first full month of operation, over 400,000 passenger journeys started or ended at Battersea Power Station and Nine Elms stations.

Rail Revenue Recovery Group

Elly Baker: Is TfL a member of the Rail Revenue Recovery Group? If not, what discussions has TfL had with the group regarding their plans for the future?

The Mayor: As part of Transport for London’s (TfL) engagement with businesses in London it has had some interactions with the Rail Revenue Recovery Group (RRRG), however it is not a member.
In February 2021, a meeting took place in which the RRRG presented plans related to a national marketing campaign to encourage people back to rail to TfL’s Managing Director of Customers, Communication and Technology and the Director of Customer and Revenue.
TfL shares and exchanges relevant information and data with the RRRG. This includes recovery campaigns, communications and, in support of pandemic recovery, information regarding businesses’ return to the office.

TfL station car park developments (4)

Emma Best: Please can you confirm if TfL are looking at any sites in Redbridge for station car park developments?

The Mayor: It is my ambition to build new homes in sustainable locations, including on land that is close to stations.
Transport for London (TfL) is looking at a number of sites across the borough of Redbridge to bring forward affordable housing led schemes. This would help local people move off housing waiting lists, help make our transport system fairer and more inclusive for all Londoners, and support the Government’s own objective of boosting the housing supply. TfL is still confirming which of these sites will be brought forward and, when they are confirmed, TfL and its delivery partners are committed to continuing to engage with the community to share information with local people as plans for sites develop.

Access to Peckham Rye station

Caroline Pidgeon: I understand that eight bus routes use Rye Lane. Has TfL undertaken any assessment of how many people use these routes on a daily basis to access Peckham Rye station?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has not undertaken an assessment of this on a daily basis. TfL can however provide the average number of bus passengers on the eight bus routes (12, 37, (N)63, 78, 197, (N)343, 363 and P12) interchanging to / from rail services at Peckham Rye station.
The table below shows these interchange volumes for a total weekday, as an average based on four pre-pandemic weeks (10 November 2019 to 7 December 2019) without any school or bank holidays. Rye Lane was closed to all traffic in July 2020, to help make sure people had enough space to socially distance during the peak of the pandemic. Rye Lane reopened to buses (as well as timed deliveries and Hackney carriages) on 18 October and more recent data on bus passenger numbers will be available soon.
Please note that TfL can only provide interchange volumes between bus and rail when passengers use the same Oyster card or contactless payment card for both trips. Interchanges where passengers use a different card or a paper ticket for the rail service are not captured in these numbers.
Bus Route
Interchange bus to rail
Interchange rail to bus
Interchange total
12
112
359
471
37
35
52
87
63 / N63
595
339
934
78
137
116
253
197
30
123
153
343 / N343
279
229
508
363
423
292
715
P12
77
77
154
Total
1,688
1,587
3,275

National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline (1)

Elly Baker: The Infrastructure and Projects Authority’s “Analysis of the National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline 2021” document says that “investments in London’s transport network will benefit not only London residents but also the almost 1 million people who work in London but live elsewhere, in addition to business and leisure visitors to the city”. How have you made the case to Government that funding TfL will benefit the whole country?

The Mayor: As part of the Comprehensive Spending Review submission, I ’ve made it clear that Transport for London (TfL) has a big potential part to play in helping achieve the Government’s goal of zero carbon transport by 2050 or sooner. A number of TfL’s interventions could directly progress this, including the committing to delivery of a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2034, which with Government funding this could be as soon as 2030, leading the way for the rest of the UK market, while preventing a car-led recovery and reducing CO2 emissions from transport.
Delivering an integrated transport network in London delivers jobs and skills across the UK through its supply chain, and 55p from every £1 spent on the London Underground investment programme goes to workers outside London.
I, along with TfL, stand ready to work with the Government over the next critical months and years to ensure the UK economy makes a full and sustainable recovery as quickly as possible.

Face Coverings on TfL (2)

Krupesh Hirani: Since the introduction of mandatory wearing of face coverings as a condition of carriage on Transport for London services, how many people have been asked to leave services?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2021/4678.

Glyphosate use

Hina Bokhari: Further to question 2021/2712, which remains unanswered, please provide an update on the work to implement the recommendations of the London Assembly motion on glyphosate use, which was agreed unanimously in July 2019, calling on the Mayor to cease the use of this herbicide on GLA land and the Transport for London estate?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2021/2712, which has now been published.

Passenger Satisfaction

Elly Baker: Transport Focus’s 2019 National Rail Passenger Survey showed that passenger satisfaction with rail services has fallen to a 10-year low, including a drop for London Overground. What steps is TfL taking to increase the level of satisfaction among its passengers?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) recognises there had been issues with London Overground (LO) reliability in the run up to the 2019 survey.While satisfaction on London Overground was high (85 per cent) and exceeded the national average (79 per cent), LO have been working with Network Rail and the operator on plans to improve the consistency of train time performance.
TfL also aims to improve customer information during disruption by ensuring customers are regularly updated throughout incidents and advised on how to continue their journeys. This will include the implementation of a new radio system next year that will provide quicker information to station staff to then communicate to customers.
London Overground has also commenced new customer service training for its frontline staff to improve staff interactions with customers.
Additionally, further station upgrade projects are underway, with new customer information screens already recently delivered at most TfL stations.
The most recent National Rail Passenger Survey showed that satisfaction on LO had increased to 87 per cent (compared to 82 per cent nationally), suggesting that customers are already benefitting from this effort.

Affordable homes

Andrew Boff: Further to questions 2021/3656, 2021/3657 and 2021/3658, can you confirm whether any homes will be started under the 2021-26 Affordable Housing Programme in the years 2021/22 and 2022/23?

The Mayor: As a result of the first round of bidding for the 2021-26 programme, the GLA is currently not forecasting starts on site in 2021-22, and a minimal numbers of homes to start on site in 2022-23. Please note that this is subject to change as we are open to in year bidding, the bids remain subject to contract, and forecasts are subject to change.

Air Quality at Clapham Junction

Leonie Cooper: In 2021, how often have there been spikes in air quality at Clapham Junction? Which times of day are these most likely to occur? How does this compare to 2019 and 2020?

The Mayor: “Spikes” in pollution may be caused by local circumstances but are often influenced by meteorological conditions and episodes of high pollution that can occur at different times of the year. These types of episodes are closely monitored and inform the use of my air quality alerts system.
Looking at patterns of pollution is complex. However, on average (excluding pollution episodes), the highest concentrations of nitrogen dioxide tend to occur across London between the hours of 6am and 7pm during weekdays, between 9am to 6pm on Saturdays, and 12pm and 6pm on Sundays.
This hourly pattern does not vary significantly between 2019, 2020 and 2021 although 2019 concentrations were the highest and 2021 concentrations are lower (so far).

Air Quality at Tooting Broadway

Leonie Cooper: In 2021, how often have there been spikes in air quality at Tooting Broadway? Which times of day are these most likely to occur? How does this compare to 2019 and 2020?

The Mayor: “Spikes” in pollution may be caused by local circumstances but are often influenced by meteorological conditions and episodes of high pollution that can occur at different times of the year. These types of episodes are closely monitored and inform the use of my air quality alerts system.
Looking at patterns of pollution is complex. However, on average (excluding pollution episodes), the highest concentrations of nitrogen dioxide tend to occur across London between the hours of 6am and 7pm during weekdays, between 9am to 6pm on Saturdays, and 12pm and 6pm on Sundays.
This hourly pattern does not vary significantly between 2019, 2020 and 2021 although 2019 concentrations were the highest and 2021 concentrations are lower (so far).

Air Quality at Putney High Street

Leonie Cooper: In 2021, how often have there been spikes in poor air quality at Putney High Street? Which times of day are these most likely to occur? How does this compare to 2019 and 2020?

The Mayor: “Spikes” in pollution may be caused by local circumstances but are often influenced by meteorological conditions and episodes of high pollution that can occur at different times of the year. These types of episodes are closely monitored and inform the use of my air quality alerts system.
Looking at patterns of pollution is complex. However, on average (excluding pollution episodes), the highest concentrations of nitrogen dioxide tend to occur across London between the hours of 6am and 7pm during weekdays, between 9am to 6pm on Saturdays, and 12pm and 6pm on Sundays.
This hourly pattern does not vary significantly between 2019, 2020 and 2021 although 2019 concentrations were the highest and 2021 concentrations are lower (so far).

Uber facial recognition system

Caroline Russell: The Uber app uses a facial recognition system to ensure that a driver using the app is the person licensed by Transport for London (TfL). There have been reports that the facial recognition system has poor accuracy when used by people of colour, resulting in instances of people losing their private hire licenses. What are you doing to ensure that drivers are not dismissed in error following the failure of facial recognition systems?

The Mayor: Private hire operators are required to ensure that drivers and vehicles are licensed. When notified by an operator that a driver has been dismissed due to concerns regarding their identity, Transport for London (TfL) undertakes its own investigation, considering information from a range of sources. TfL then decides whether any licensing action may be required to ensure passenger safety.

Transport for London body worn video

Caroline Russell: In how many cases has body worn video from Transport for London (TfL) been used as evidence since the cameras have been rolled out to staff? And of these, how many resulted in a sentence or conviction?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has rolled out over 4,500 Body Worn Cameras since the inception of the scheme, as part of its efforts to tackle work-related violence and aggression. Everyone has the right to feel safe at work, and TfL continue to push for the strongest penalties against offenders.
TfL’s Data Disclosure Unit has received 108 separate police requests for data from Body Worn Video (BWV) to support police investigations. TfL does not routinely receive information from the Crown Prosecution Service or HM Courts Service on the number of convictions or sentences for cases where BWV has been submitted as evidence.
TfL provides direct support to any staff member who is a victim of, or witness to, an incident of workplace violence and aggression in court. Due to the backlog of court cases because of the pandemic, a number of cases are still to be heard. TfL anticipate more convictions for cases using BWV.

Knives found on the transport network

Caroline Russell: Constituents working for Transport for London (TfL) have contacted me saying that the British Transport Police (BTP) has refused to collect knives found on the London Underground if there is no obvious sign of them being used in a crime. Will you work with the BTP to ensure that all knives found on the transport system are collected, in order to protect transport workers and Londoners?

The Mayor: The safety and security of passengers and staff is a key priority for me, Transport for London (TfL) and the British Transport Police (BTP). We have a shared focus on ensuring that knives and other weapons are not carried on our network. We police proactively so that everyone can travel safely and feel confident to do so.
I know that the BTP are immensely grateful for the role that station staff play in alerting them to incidents and concerns. If a knife is found on TfL property, the circumstances surrounding the discovery are assessed. Where there is evidence that the presence of the knife may be related to an offence, the BTP will attend to investigate the offence and seize the item. Where a knife is discovered and there is no evidence that an offence has been committed, an officer will be deployed to collect the knife, book it in to BTP property and send it for destruction.

Review of Gunnersbury Station's Layout and Design

Nicholas Rogers: Please advise the Assembly whether there are any plans to review the layout and design of Gunnersbury Station.

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2021/4534

TfL Go App

Nicholas Rogers: Please explain why the main map of the TfL Go app does not display either the zone boundaries or the accessibility status of each station.

The Mayor: In Transport for London’s TfL Go app, the zones for each station are shown on station pages, which are accessed by tapping a station on the map.
The step-free view of the map can be switched on and off using the step-free icon in the top righthand corner of the TfL Go app. When step-free mode is on, the app shows whether each station is step-free to train or to platform, whether this is in one direction or both, or whether it is interchange only. Any journey that is planned when step-free mode is on will then be step-free by default. The map also shows whether step-free status is disrupted by live lift closures.

E-Taxi Charging Points (2)

Keith Prince: Is the Mayor concerned that private hire vehicles abusing dedicated e-taxi charge points may give members of the public the wrong impression that they are taxis plying for hire on taxi ranks?

The Mayor: Taxi-dedicated rapid charge points (RCP) are solely for charging zero emission capable (ZEC) taxis and are entirely different to taxi ranks.
Further to my previous responses to Mayor’s Questions 2021/1414, 2021/1415 and 2021/1416, Transport for London (TfL) has taken a number of steps to ensure the legitimate use of taxi-only charge points is enforced. This includes increased Operational Officer presence and regular communication with licensees. In addition, it is working with RCP providers to explore whether technical solutions are available to ensure taxi-dedicated points can only be used by ZEC taxis.
London taxis are also purpose-built, are easily distinguishable from private hire vehicles (PHVs) and must meet TfL’s Conditions of Fitness (see https://content.tfl.gov.uk/taxi-conditions-of-fitness-update-2019.pdf) in order to be licensed in London.

Tackling sexual harassment on the transport network

Caroline Russell: I welcome your new campaign to tackle sexual harassment on the transport network. What training will be delivered to front line Transport for London (TfL) staff to help them play their part?

The Mayor: Sexual harassment has no place on the transport network, and, alongside Transport for London (TfL) and our policing partners, I am determined to stamp it out.
Frontline transport workers have an important role to play in tackling sexual harassment and supporting our customers who experience this on the network. In order to support the campaign, TfL briefed and issued updated guidance to staff about reporting incidents and how to handle reports from customers sensitively and empathetically. The guidance was issued to TfL’s customer service staff and enforcement officers as well as its operators, including bus drivers.
Staff training is an essential element of TfL’s work to tackle sexual harassment and improve the safety of women and girls. TfL has committed to rolling out training to all frontline customer facing staff, starting this month with TfL’s enforcement officers.
Training on sexual harassment is also to be included in the enhanced diversity and inclusion training, which will be rolled out to all 25,000 bus drivers beginning in April 2022 and completed by the end of 2024. In addition to this, TfL has also set and communicated clear standards of behaviour expected of taxi and private hire drivers as part of the Safety, Equality and Regulatory Information handbook for PHV Drivers, which covers sexual harassment.